Kimberly Lynn Cook
South Strafford, VT – Kimberly Lynn (Maclay) Cook, 67, died unexpectedly Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Kim was born on July 23, 1958 in Lebanon, NH and was the daughter of Roderick Joseph Maclay and Janet Bacon Maclay. She attended Newton Elementary School and graduated from Thetford Academy in 1976. Kim met her husband and best friend, Douglas Cook, in high school and they were married in 1977. They raised their two sons in South Strafford and celebrated their forty-eighth anniversary last fall.
After graduating Kim ran a childcare out of her home where she watched over, entertained, and nurtured dozens of children. This role as a stand-in mother came naturally to her and was a role that she assumed for many people throughout her life. She then accepted a position at Trafalgar Square Publishing in 1993 and worked there for thirty years. Kim was promoted several times and was serving as the Marketing Director when she left the company. For the past two years she worked in the cafeteria at Thetford Academy prepping food and serving both middle and high schoolers. She truly relished interacting with the students every school day (including two of her grandchildren as well as other extended family members).
Kim’s first and foremost passion was always her family. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary and was present for innumerable sporting events, dirt bike races, plays, concerts, art shows, and other school events. She was an incredibly thoughtful gift giver and, somehow, always seemed to know what you would like. Kim also enjoyed spending time at the beach or on one of Doug’s fishing boats, shopping, thrifting, redecorating her home, gardening, crafting, beading, music, jigsaw puzzles, hosting holidays, making hot pepper jelly, going on daytrips with Doug, and pulling the occasional practical joke.
She was a member of the Ladies Aid Society and the Order of the Eastern Star’s Forest-Unity Chapter in Sharon, VT.
In keeping with her loving and generous spirit, Kim gave the gift of life through organ donation.
She is survived by her father, Roderick Maclay of South Strafford, VT, her husband, Douglas Cook of South Strafford, VT, her two sons, Corey Cook and wife Rachael of East Thetford, VT, Chas Cook and partner Amanda Wells of Newport, VT, and her nine grandchildren, Wayah Cook, Henley Cook, Olivia Cook, Elliot Cook, Shelby Wells, Masson Wells, Charlie Wells, Harper Wells, and Maverick Cook. She was predeceased by her mother, Janet Maclay in 1995, and her brother, Roderick Maclay II in 2014.
The family will hold a private burial and memorial service. They deeply appreciate the love, prayers, and support that they have received from the community.
In lieu of flowers donations in Kim’s memory may be made to Thetford Academy to help fund the new kitchen renovation (Thetford Academy, 304 Academy Road, Thetford Center, VT 05075 or https://thetfordacademy.org/give/donate-now/).
Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home of Chelsea, VT is in charge of the arrangements.
To view an online guestbook go to https://www.boardwayandcilley.com/.
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