Catherine R. “Pippen” Cook
October 8, 1942 – July 1, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Catherine R. “Pippen” Cook, who died peacefully on July 1, 2026, at the age of 83. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Pippen lived a life defined by kindness, generosity, and service to others.
Born on October 8, 1942, at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Pippen was the daughter of Catherine Niland McDonough and Dr. Francis Edward McDonough. She was raised in West Newton, MA, and spent her summers at The Divide Sheep Camp,“Niland’s Cabin’s” in Wyoming, where she developed a lifelong love of the outdoors and family traditions.
Pippen graduated from Newton High School in 1960 and earned a BS degree in Zoology, with minors in Chemistry and Anthropology, from the University of Wisconsin in 1964. She then served in the Peace Corps in Malawi from 1965 to 1966, teaching science and English before beginning her career in Boston.
In 1972, she married Leonard “Lenny” Cook, and together they made their home in Dover, MA, where they raised their children, Chris and Carolyn (“CC”). Pippen devoted countless hours to the Dover community, serving on the Dover School Committee and Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee, volunteering as an EMT with the Dover Fire Department for about 20 years, and contributing for more than 25 years to The Dover Foundation. In 2005, she and Lenny were honored with The Dover Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for their exceptional volunteer service.
Pippen found great joy sailing with lifelong friends in Marion, Massachusetts, where she and Lenny moved in 2006. She treasured time with family, friends, and the ocean.
Pippen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lenny. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (“CC”) Cook Tellier and her husband, James Tellier, of Natick, Massachusetts; her son, Chris Cook and his wife, Mitzi Cook; her cherished grandson, Tucker Cook, of Point Richmond, California; her brother, Bill McDonough of Sunapee, New Hampshire; her sister, Michelle DeVincent of Naples, Florida; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Pippen will be remembered for her warmth, quick smile, generosity, and lifelong commitment to helping others. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved and the community she served.
A celebration of Pippen’s life will be held Mid-August. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Dover Foundation in support of the scholarships and community programs that meant so much to her. Visit TheDoverFoundation.org
