Nancy Cook

Nancy Cook

• Nancy Cook was born on 6 November 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• She married Harry Rutherford Most in 1958.
• Nancy Cook died on 12 June 2009 at age 87 in Newtown Square, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, at White Horse Village.
• The following appeared on 15 June 2009 in The Philadelphia Inquirer: Nancy Cook Most, 87, who trained German shepherds and hosted programs for schoolchildren at her farm in Valley Forge, died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Friday at White Horse Village, a retirement community in Newtown Square. Mrs. Most grew up in Ardmore and graduated from Lower Merion High School. After earning a bachelor's degree at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., she was a market researcher for General Mills Corp. in Philadelphia. In 1958, she married married a publishing-company executive, Harry Rutherford Most, whom she had met at an American Kennel Club show. In the late 1960s, they bought a 58-acre farm in Valley Forge and commissioned modernist architect Oscar Stonorov to design a three-story glass addition to the 17th-century fieldstone farmhouse. Mrs. Most and her husband kept a number of other animals, along with German shepherds, at their Now and Then Farm. She participated in a Great Valley Nature Center program for schoolchildren and delighted in introducing the youngsters to the donkey, horse, pigs, goats, Chinese geese, and green-egg-laying chickens, said Christina Edgar, a family friend. Mrs. Most also hosted benefits for local charities at her home, which was furnished with her sculptures and the work of other local artists. She and her husband protected their property from development through an arrangement with the Natural Lands Trust when they moved to White Horse Village in 1996. He died a year later. Mrs. Most is survived by a son, Harry Rutherford "Ford" Most Jr. Services are private. Donations may be made to the Great Valley Nature Center, Box 82, Devault, Pa. 19432 or the Wharton Esherick Museum, Box 595, Paoli, Pa. 19301.
• The following memorial was published by Founds Funeral Home: Nancy Cook Most, 87, of White Horse Village in Newtown Square, died June 12, 2009, in the company of close friends and family.
        She was the widow of Harry Rutherford Most, who predeceased her in 1996, and mother of H. Rutherford "Ford" Most Jr. of Anaheim, Calif.
       She was also predeceased by her sisters, Jane Cook Wiltshire and Sally Cook Browne.
       Nancy was born in Philadelphia, grew up in Ardmore and attended Lower Merion High School. She graduated from Stephens College in St. Louis and worked in marketing research for General Mill Corporation. She also raised, trained and showed German shepherd dogs for many years.
       Nancy and her husband, Harry, moved to Valley Forge in the late 1950’s and lived for many years at Now and Then, the pre-revolutionary farmhouse they lovingly restored and wrapped in a modern glass addition designed by Oscar Stonorov. At Now and Then, Nancy raised farm animals and hosted educational programs for inner-city children. She also hosted benefits for local charities and amassed an eclectic collection of local arts and crafts.  
       Nancy moved to White Horse Village in 1996 and continued to be a dedicated patron of the arts and of local and international humanitarian causes. 
       Contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to the Great Valley Nature Center, P.O. Box 82, (Route 29 & Hollow Road), Devault, PA 19432, or to The Wharton Esherick Museum, Box 595, Paoli, PA 19301-0595.

• Last Edited: 20 Jul 2013