Marlaine “Cookie” Jennings

Marlaine A. “Cookie” Jennings

June, 21 1949 – August, 1 2021

Marlaine “Cookie” Jennings of Edmond, OK joined our Lord in Heaven on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She was 72. 

 

Cookie was born in San Antonio, Texas to the late Morris E. Ezell, Jr. and Mary Ezell on June 21, 1949. She was a devoted daughter and sister and a true daddy’s girl. She is survived by her loving husband, Russell Jennings of Edmond, daughter, Lisa Hanna of Alexandria, VA and son, Greg Hanna of Oklahoma City, as well as sister Marsha Ward and brother-in-law Kent Ward of Edmond and many other close family members including nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews whom she loved and adored. 

 

Cookie graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio and went on to pursue her degree in Nursing at the University of Texas in Austin. She was a dedicated nurse and loved taking care of everyone around her. She finished her career at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City where she worked for more than 20 years predominately in the operating room. 

 

Cookie met her loving husband Russ in 1995 and they married on her birthday, June 21, 1997 on top of their favorite mountain, Sapphire Point in Dillion, Colorado. Over the years they would enjoy numerous trips to Colorado with family and friends. Cookie was an avid skier, hiker and racquetball player; she loved and embraced anything outdoors, especially on a mountain top. Together Cookie and Russ enjoyed a life many of us often dream of. In the winter of 2003, Cookie and Russ moved to Germany while Russ continued his civilian career with the U.S. Air Force. During that time, Cookie worked with wounded soldiers at the Landstuhl Army Medical Center in the Battle Trauma Registry and later with service women undergoing high risk pregnancies. 

 

When Cookie was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, Russ became her biggest champion. Throughout this time he became an expert researcher and support group leader; her steadfast caregiver until the day she passed. 

 

Cookie was small in size, but lived life in a big way. Always the life of the party, Cookie never met a stranger. She was active in her community – a volunteer at heart and constantly devoted to everyone she loved. She was a life-long animal lover and advocate. 

 

She was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her kids and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as “Auntie Cookie” to her nieces and nephews. She had a vivacious personality and always made people around her laugh. She made friends everywhere she went and leaves behind a lifetime of friendships. 

 

It would be wrong to say that Cookie lost her battle with cancer, because she never stopped fighting. She was always determined. When anyone else would have broken, Cookie stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. There was no one quite like Cookie. 

 

We would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at the Integris Hospice House, Integris Cancer Institute, Integris Baptist Medical Center, UC Health, the OU Stephenson Cancer Center and MD Anderson, as well as Joe Tippens and Jane McLelland, for their care and support during Cookie’s long and difficult battle. 

 

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug 14 at  Matthews Funeral Home. 601 S. Kelly Ave, Edmond. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Cookie’s name to the BellaSPCA (BellaSPCA.org). 

 

We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations.  To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.

15 thoughts on “Marlaine “Cookie” Jennings”

  1. Wonderful friend. Great skiing buddy. I will miss her so much. Heaven gained a beautiful Angel.

  2. Karen Anderson

    Cookie fought a truly courageous battle. Early on, she said “I can either live with cancer, or I can die with cancer. I choose to live”. And live she did! She never stopped-she traveled, skied, enjoyed life to the fullest and dragged her friends on the journey with her. With Russ by her side to encourage and searching for the next plan. Always a smile, no complaints. If you’re looking for an inspiration-she embodied positivity. She will be so missed.

  3. Paige Selby

    This truly captures the way I think of Cookie. She was a force of nature and the world will be more boring without her.

  4. Joe Tippens

    Out of thousands of cancer patients I have encountered, Cookie (and Russ) have been the most impressive in their fight (as a team and individually) as I could’ve imagined. I will always remember her. The embodiment positive attitude regardless of the obstacles.

  5. Dr. Billye Putnam

    Cookie was a passionate, devoted, vivacious, and loved ESA sister. I treasured her infectious smile and fun personality. I admired her amazing fight in this journey of life. I am a better person for having had the pleasure of being her “sister.”

  6. Carol Greeson

    My daughter and Lisa arranged for a Girl’s weekend for Mother’s Day at Watercolors, Seaside, FL.
    I was immediately impressed with Cookie’s determination and strength. She travelled thru several airports both ways, but her stamina and joy were continuous despite the pain we knew she was in. May you rest In peace, Cookie. You fought the good fight!

  7. Martha Pate

    Cookie will always be one of our “Bunco Babes”! She was a great friend and kept our group going! We will dearly miss her!

  8. Sandra Roberts (and Indy)

    No matter the circumstances, Cookie was always so vibrant and funny. It was always a pleasure to visit with the two of you.

  9. Cindy Peters

    From the early 80’s Cookie and I were best of friends. Each with a baby on our hip and exercising to “Let’s get physical” with Jane Fonda playing in the background…Our love for each other lasted through lots of moves, good times and bad times. Through it all we remained close and committed to our friendship. Talking weekly, monthly or yearly we could always pick back up right where we left off. Russ, thank you for loving my friend so well. You were truly the love of her life. Lisa and Greg, never forget she will always be loving you and watching you from on High. I am honored that I got to tell you goodbye on Sunday, August 1st. All my love to you and your family.

  10. Cookie will be missed dearly. She was just the most amazing person with the biggest heart.

  11. Russ & family, I am so sorry to hear of Cookie’s passing. We had a few classes together at Lee HS. I had lost of her & many other classmates after graduation. And then we had a chance meeting in Germany around 2008. God bless.

    1. Lynnea Wright

      Thanking you years too late for sponsoring our 40th class reunion and including us from Churchill.

  12. Lynnea Wright

    I agree with Gene Voss: I “Didn’t really know her, but after reading these comments, I wish I had.”

    My condolences to her devoted husband, family and friends.

  13. My sweet “cuz” Cookie!! I SO wish we could have gotten together in the past few years!! Even though it wasn’t meant to be, I now imagine you and our cousin Tootsie talking up a storm in heaven about OR nursing!!
    You are healed and in peace in heaven where I look forward to seeing you again!! My love and condolences to Marsha, Kent, Russ, Lisa and Greg and all her loving friends…….

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