MAGNOLIA - Helen L. Cooke, of Magnolia, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, in Smyrna. She was 87. Mrs. Cooke was born April 29, 1924, in Jersey City, N.J., to the late Fred Conrad and Madeline Speidell Conrad. She had worked as a stenographer at a bank in Scarsdale, N.Y., until she had her 2 sons. After her children had grown she worked for Readers Digest for 20 years or so. She enjoyed knitting, stitching, traveling and was an avid reader. Mrs. Cooke was a loving mother and wife. In her quiet way, she would convey that she would do anything in her power to help her children. Edward can remember her going to his high school basketball and football games cheering the loudest for him from the stands. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward A. Cooke in 1980; and son, Richard Cooke in 2003. She is survived by her son, Edward Cooke and his wife Bette of Magnolia; and Richards daughter her granddaughter, Ming Cooke; her sister, Diane Tillman of Oregon; three sisters-in-law, Jean Cooke of Pennsylvania, Jane Barone, and Mary Cade, both of New York. A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday evening Dec. 19, 2011, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover. Graveside services will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the Amawalk Hill Cemetery, Amawalk, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011; or the American Heart Association Delaware, 200 Continental Dr., Suite 101, Newark, DE 19713. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.