Elinor D. McNeil Cooke Berger, born to Edgar V. McNeil, Sr. and Mildred Baxter McNeil in Carson City, NV on September 18, 1935 entered into her final journey August 18, 2012. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Carson City.
Being a third generation Carson City resident she attended school in Carson City and graduated from Carson High School in 1953. She was a cheerleader and served as worthy advisor of Rainbow during her high school years.
In 1954 she married Jack Lester Cooke who predeceased her in 1978. During the early years of their marriage they lived in San Francisco, Chico, Yuba City and Sutter while Jack was pursuing a teaching degree. They returned to Carson City in the late 1960's. They had three children together: Linda Baxter (Steve), Jack W. Cooke (Cheryl) and Annette 'Netti' DeBusk (Mike). After the death of her first husband she married Robert 'Bob' Berger in 1983 (deceased 2004), gladly gained four more children: David Berger (Dawn), Doug Berger (Kani), Dan Berger (Dennell) and Darrin Berger (Natalie). In addition to her children, she is survived by her grandchildren Heather Baxter Grim, Jennifer Baxter Gitthens; Michael Cooke; Mikayla, Tanner and Jacob DeBusk; Katelyn and Nathen Berger; Monika and Joshua Berger; Daniel and Deborah Berger; and Samantha, Alexandra and Robert Berger; great grandsons Caleb Grim and Gavin Gitthens along with numerous extended family members.
In addition to her parents and both husbands she was preceded in death by sister Betty McNeil Riehl, brother Edgar 'Bud' McNeil, mother and father-in-law Louis G. and Frances Meder Cooke.
She retired from the Carson City School District in 1994. During her career with the district she was secretary to elementary and high school principals, as well as an instructor in adult education, community college, and high school business classes.
FAMILY came first, but close behind that was her desire to visit almost anyplace she'd never been. In 2005 she joined Friendship Force International (FFI) where she served for two years as president of the Reno-Tahoe club. Being part of FFI she traveled to China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Africa, India, Mexico, Nepal, Europe, Canada, as well as many locations in the United States. Because of her many travels she was dubbed 'Global Grandma' because her family never knew exactly where she would travel to next.
When she wasn't traveling she enjoyed spending time at her property at Eagle Lake, California or attending one of her children's or grandchildren's many sporting events or activities. She also was an avid reader, gardener and loved to put puzzles together. She thoroughly enjoyed her backyard birds - especially the quail.
Genealogy was a passion of hers. She visited many cemeteries and archives gathering information about her heritage. Her genealogy database grew to over 9,000 people. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed monthly luncheons with her high school alumni friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Carson City, 306 West Musser Street, Carson City, NV 89703 or Vistacare Hospice, 710 West Washington Street Carson City, NV 89703.
Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of final arrangements. 775-882-4965
