Frances “Fran” Ann (Jansen) Cook
Frances “Fran” Ann (Jansen) Cook, age 85, of Quincy, quietly passed away Wednesday evening, September 2, 2026, in the comfort of her home with family by her side. She is now at peace in the loving presence of her Heavenly Father, where she is joyfully reunited with family and dear friends who went before her.
Fran was born in Quincy on February 24, 1941, to Maurice “Butch” and Helen (O’Brien) Jansen. She graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University before becoming an elementary teacher at Lincoln School in East Peoria, Illinois. She made a lasting impression on her students and maintained meaningful relationships with many of them throughout her life. She married the love of her life Robert William Cook on August 8, 1970, in St. Peter’s Church. The two met while working together at Kroger during their high school and early college years and shared 56 wonderful years of married life together. She was an avid supporter of historic preservation and architecture and loved making her own historic home of 47 years an inviting and warm place to raise her family and welcome friends.
Fran was a wonderful mother to her three children and played an important role in supporting their successes. She never missed a game, a performance, or the chance to make any celebration special with one of her many delicious meals and desserts. She was a woman of service and dedicated her time volunteering. She made a significant impact through her work with Quincy Preserves, the Quincy Civic Music Association, and the Woman’s City Club. Her love and dedicated support of the arts led her to begin a career as an editor for the Quincy Society of Fine Arts. In her almost 20 years at QSFA, she became the Arts in Education Director and developed the “Art$ Dollar$” program where she poured her heart into researching programs, finding funding and awarding grants to bring art back into schools. Her love of music and involvement with the Quincy Historic Business District resulted in her becoming one of the founding members of “Blues in the District,” a program that is now in its 29th year of bringing free music to Washington Park for all to enjoy.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Helen Jansen.
Fran is survived by her husband, Robert Cook; her children, Brian Cook of Quincy, Gregory Cook (Casey) of Tacoma, Washington, and Julie McAfee (Jeff) of Louisville, Kentucky; her grandchildren Grace and Oliver Cook, and Eli Meehan.
Fran’s presence will be missed. She will be fondly remembered as a beloved friend, a trusted neighbor, a valued bridge partner, a skilled knitter, and bonus mother to many.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 10:00 am in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Francis Catholic Church. Internment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions in Fran’s honor may be made to Arts Quincy (artsquincy.org) or for Blues in the District (thedistrictquincy.com)
Judge Cook, Julie, Greg, and Brian,
I am so sorry for your loss. Fran was such a thoughtful, caring, and intelligent woman. Although she left the classroom to raise her family, she never stopped making a difference in the lives of students through her work with the Quincy Society of Fine Arts/Arts Quincy.
I always admired Fran’s passion for public education. She and “The Judge” were also wonderful supporters of me throughout my career as an educator, especially over this last year. Their kindness and encouragement meant so much to me.
Fran touched many lives, including mine. She will be deeply missed.
I am sorry for your loss of your mother, I will always cherish the days I did her hair! She was such a hoot!
I am very sorry to hear of Fran’s passing. I have very fond memories of her. Being at Bob and Fran’s wedding. Seeing the whole family when you came to the beaches here. She leaves a hole in my heart.
Fran and I worked together at the Quincy Society of Fine Arts for 10 years. We were also neighbors and great friends for many years. After Rob and I moved to Ursa and spent a year traveling on our boat we sadly lost touch. She was always a joy to be around!
I loved talking with Fran at the Society of Fine Arts about my many projects over the years. She was a pleasure whenever I saw her. Gary and I are sending our condolences to Bob and her children and many other family and friends.
Im so sorry for your loss. Sending love ans prayers to all
She was a great women she treated me like family and then we eventually became family. I will miss Mrs. fran dearly.❤️
So many wonderful memories of Fran and working together in the 90’s on Blues in the District. She was a beloved friend and I think of her and Bob often. My heart breaks for her family.
I was very sorry to hear of Fran’s passing. She was such a supportive parent when I taught at Madison School. She was always involved with making sure kids were exposed to many arts programs. Her legacy will live on in many ways! My thoughts and prayers are with her family!😢
I was so sad to read of Fran”s death. We were neighbors for a few years and worked together for Quincy Preserves on the fall house tours and had a great time doing it. She enjoyed a good laugh and we had many of those. My condolences to Bob and the rest of the family. I am sure you will really miss her.
Dear Robert and family,
So many good things came from Frans work, but her kind heart will be remembered forever.
So many good times and chats we had.
May God bless the family and for sharing her with us. You both worked well together to making things better in Quincy.
She will not be forgotten.
Psul K.Geers
Pres of the Latin mass society of Quincy/ historic St. Rose of lima parish.
Condolences to Fran’s family. So sorry for your loss, but hope you use the good memories to sustain you during this difficult time.
She will be missed by many. When I see a butterfly I will think of her.
Anna Mae and Chuck Miller
Judge Cook and family, I am sorry for your loss of Fran, she was such a great role model for me and all the “courthouse girls “ in the late eighties and beyond! Fran’s wise advice and knitting and gifting baby sweaters and hats to the babies born during those days was a lasting legacy of love. Heaven gained a special lady with Fran’s passing. Peace and blessings for comfort during this difficult time.
Robert and Family – I am sorry for your loss – I wish you peace
Fran was one of my favorite people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Being able to see her was always one of the best parts of my day. She had a way of making even an ordinary day on my route a little brighter, and I will miss our conversations and seeing her more than I can say.
I feel incredibly lucky that being her mail carrier gave me the chance to know her. She was so much more than just one of my customers—she was someone I genuinely looked forward to seeing and someone I will always remember with so much fondness.
My route will not feel quite the same without her. My heart goes out to everyone who loved her. She will be deeply missed
I am so very sorry for the passing of Frances. I didn’t not know her for very long, but I am so very Blessed that God put her in my Path.
Praying For God To give you all Peace and Comfort.
Lisa Anderson
We…Cara, Harold, Darryl, and “Butch”…fondly remember her and her many kindness. It’s unfortunate that life simply has a way of flinging us younger cousins outward and away, but we will never forget “Frances Ann” and the larger family get togethers we once had the joy of sharing with together with her, her sisters, and our large family of cousins. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you all.
Bob and family , deepest sympathy to all…. I only remember Fran as the sweetest lady ever. So many years….so many scattered memories. God bless her and all of you.
Sending condolences and love in memory of Aunt Fran. Memories of her care and warm embrace go back to my earliest days with family reunions and many of us cousins running around together. She was always there to engage with us, host the family at her house, feed us, knit sweaters for Christmas, and take an active interest in each of us and in her own special way. As I grew older, I saw the same active interest and support in the Quincy community with history and the arts. Aunt Fran has left a lasting imprint on all of us with her love and care, and she will be greatly missed. Praying for peace, and sending our warmest sympathies, from Mark, Rebecca, Theda, Tommy, and Sara.