Margaret Leslie Cooke (nee Brown), 84, of Old Tappan, NJ (formerly of Northvale, NJ) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 surrounded by her family. Leslie will be remembered for her upbeat, fun-loving personality and her deep devotion to her family.
Leslie was born in Jersey City, NJ in 1941 to the late George and Margaret Brown (nee Crowley). Leslie was raised in Teaneck, NJ and loved her years there forming many lifelong friendships.
Leslie married her late husband Daniel Cooke in 1960. They moved to Northvale where they raised their five children, Daniel (Susan), Brian (Maryrose), Michael (Kimberly), Donna (Andrew) and James. She had an especially close relationship with her brother in law and sister in law, Charles and Christine Cooke as well as her nieces, Wendy (John) and Debbie (Bart). Through the years in Northvale, Leslie was active in the St Anthony’s school, rosary society, taught CCD and was a former member of the Northvale Ambulance Corp. It was at St Anthony’s where Leslie & Danny formed their wonderful circle of friends, Bill & Mary McGurn, Jack & Madeline Simons, Fred & Rosemarie DePhillips, Russ & Pat Kennedy, Jules & Jean Loh, Al & Marion Paolillo and Al & Jackie Amend otherwise known as “The Idle Wild Gang”. They enjoyed many dinners, beach days, vacations and celebrating all their kids milestones.
Leslie was a talented musician and served as the organist at St Anthony’s Church for over 50 years until her retirement in 2019. Many of those years as a volunteer before she was hired on full time as the Music/Choir Director and also served as the Director of Religious Education for many years. Leslie played for almost every mass, wedding and funeral for all those years. Leslie also worked as a secretary for many years at Pyrometer in Northvale and later at Hanleigh in Pearl River.
Leslie adored her nine grandchildren, Anthony, Thomas (Chrissy), Katie, Shannon, Lauren, Brian (Ali), Sean (Maura), Erik (Nicole) and Emily and one adorable great-grandson, Declan. She also leaves behind many other nieces, nephews and extended family.
A wake will be held on Friday, February 27th from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A funeral mass will be held at St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 199 Walnut St, Northvale, NJon Saturday, February 28th at 10:00am. Leslie will be buried beside her husband, Danny, at Rockland Cemetery in Sparkill, NY.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Northvale Ambulance Corp.
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