Merry Cook

Merry officially joined Auroville in 1999, but was already involved 10 years earlier. Here is how she is remembered by her friends and carers:

Merry, the mighty willed, brilliant and sweetest lady we know transitioned peacefully in Love and the Light of The Mother.

At the young age of 50, a radiant and brilliant lady decided to live her truth and join Auroville. As an animal lover, she was soon visiting Anne at the dog shelter. As a music teacher, she harmonized the lives of countless students, sharing the universal language that brought joy and beauty to all. She expressed her kindness and love for children through teaching and caring for many animals over the years.

Though her dementia and severe hearing loss may have obscured memories and connections with others - her strong individuality, inherent sweetness and sincere aspiration for the Divine Mother shone through, touching the lives of everyone around her. Those who may have feared her boldness would have missed the opportunity to experience the humour, generous spirit, warmth and kindness that lay beneath.

She always felt gratitude for her helpers. And expressed this in many ways, even on her very last day. Whenever she was sick and needed assistance she would reluctantly take it but then thank profusely those that helped her. She would say, “You girls spoil me. I don’t need help,” but then smile and be grateful.

She was not one to waste anything that could be used. She would not want for herself what others could use and was always generously giving away. She was a regular customer at La Terrace where she had lunch and read the newspapers, with a pen in hand to write her comments in the margins! Sometimes she asked her helper to offer her food to another whom she felt needed it. We remember her life as a symphony of love, care, gratitude and music. Her melody and utmost gratitude to God never faded till her last moment.

Raji, Deanna, Shakti, Shailey, Sarala, Suba, Vanitha, Arati, Uma, and Branwen (Merry’s sister in Boston).

A book that Merry wrote was published in Tamil and English, called Merry’s Animal Stories.

Several copies are available at Thamarai and the other schools.