Cook Family History: Life Story of Ruth Elizabeth Proctor-1918-1999

Ruth Elizabeth Proctor Cook

Born: 16 November 1918

Died: 9 November 1999

We lost our precious Mother on 9 November 1999. She fell in her home sometime during the night 24-25 of September 1999. I found her the morning of the 25th. It almost broke my heart. Mark called our good friend and Mother's neighbor, Lynn Taylor and he came and helped Mark get her into her bed. I called all of my siblings to let them know. Joyce came from Blackfoot as fast as she could. We decided to help Mother get dressed. She was kind of out of it. As we lifted her nightie, we could see that she was bleeding eternally and was not responding to us. So we hurriedly called 911. She was transported to the Madison Memorial hospital leaving the home she loved so much forever.

We spent many absolutely, never to be forgotten times with Mother in the hospital. Her room was literally a spiritual haven. We were able to experience many sacred moments with her. No one wanted to leave her room because there was such a wonderful spirit there.

One Sunday I came into the hospital and the nurses were busy getting ready to move Mother. I asked them what they were doing and they told me they were moving her to ICU. I asked them why and they told me they couldn't tell me. So I told them they weren't moving her anywhere until I knew why. Luckily just at that moment, Dr. Redd came into the room. He said that Mother wasn't getting enough oxygen and it was just getting too hard for her to breath and they wanted to put her on a ventilator as he didn't think she would make it through the night without it. Oh boy, did that catch me off guard. I asked him if he would give me a couple of hours since I was the only one of her family there. He said he would but they wanted to move her and get things set up immediately.

I called Mark, who was out doing his home teaching, to hurry and come to the hospital. Then I got busy and dialed the phone so Mother could talk to her children and grandchildren who I knew wouldn't be able to get to the hospital. While she talked to them, I called the ones nearby and told them to come as fast as they could if they wanted to be able to speak to Mother and her to them before they put her on the ventilator.

After two hours, the doctor came back in and checked her oxygen level. It hadn't changed at all, So he said he was going to leave the hospital with orders to hook her up as soon as it changed and that he would also check with them throughout the night. A great miracle happened that night in that small ICU room. Mother's oxygen level didn't change and they didn't hook her up to life support. When Dr. Redd came in the next morning he was very surprised. He asked Mother, "Ruth, are you tired of breathing." My dear sweet Mother looked at him and said in all seriousness, "Well what kind of stupid question is that?" He said that really was a stupid question. We all got quite the chuckle out of it. She never did have to go on life support and actually improved to the point that they were able to move her to rehabilitation home near the hospital. They said she would have to remain there until she could help get herself out of bed and walk with help.

No one worked harder than my wonderful Mother did. She tried so so hard and did everything they asked of her. I would go up to Rexburg after school and she would tell me all about what she had done that day. I was so very very proud of her. She wanted to be able to come home for Thanksgiving.

One night I went in and they told me she had fallen out of bed. I couldn't believe it. I asked them why they didn't have the railings up on her bed. They told me they could only put up one side without a doctor's order. I told them they had better darn well get one and that that had better never happen to her again. They said they would get right on it.

Well the next day during the very first period of school, they came to my room and told me I need to call the rehabilitation place. I thought it was about putting the railing up on her bed so I told the office I would call as soon as first period was over with. About ten minutes later they came to my room again and told me to call them now. So I stepped out and called. They told me Mother had taken a turn for the worst and they needed permission to transport her to the hospital. Of course, I told them to do it by all means and I was on my way. I stepped back into my room, told the office lady I was leaving, to get a substitute, and that I didn't know when I would be back and off I went.

On the way I called Mark and asked him to hurry to the hospital and then called my siblings. Mother was in pretty bad shape when I got there. She rallied somewhat and we were able to have a few more precious days with her. She was on constant communication with the other side of the veil those last few days and nights. It was an amazing experience to be with her.

The day before she died, the nurse came in take care of her and I told him Mark and I were going to step out for a few minutes and go to the cafeteria and grab some breakfast. He said he would stay with her until we came back. Just as we were stepping out the door, my Mother said, "Let me die, let me die, let me die." Those were the last words she ever said. She had not wanted to die until that moment. She had fought so hard for so long. She was tired and ready to go Home. I called everyone and told them it wouldn't be long now and they had better come. Everyone of the kids were able to get there but Frank who was so very very ill. Little did we know we would lose him in just a few short months. They next day, 9 November 1999, with her family gathered around her hospital bed, Mother was able to shed this earthly body and joined her family on the other side. It was a bitter sweet day. We all miss her so much but wouldn't make her come back for anything. We know she is happy and with her loved one.

We are all trying to live so we can be with you and our other loved ones again some day. Until that day, we MISS you and LOVE You, Mother Dear.

Here are some pictures that were taken at the funeral home the night of her viewing, 11 November 1999.