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Camille Sanders (Cook)
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East High Leopards
Class of 1965 |
1946 ~ 2015 Camille Sanders Cook, beloved wife and mother, returned to her Heavenly Father on January 15, 2015, following a courageous battle with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Camille was born in Salt Lake City on September 26, 1946 and attended local schools, graduating with honors from the University of Utah in French and music. Camille was an accomplished soprano vocalist and instructor, performing in productions with the Salt Lake Opera Theatre, the Utah Opera Company, the University of Utah Opera, and in the LDS Assembly Hall. She received critical acclaim for roles as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Butterfly and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and for the title role in Suor Angelica. Camille married Merrill Cook in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 24, 1969. She was entirely devoted to her husband and five children and tirelessly supported Merrill's political campaigns. While Merrill served in Congress, Camille gave vocal performances at Congressional venues and the Washington, D.C. Temple Visitors' Center. Camille loved the gospel of Jesus Christ, she loved her Savior, and served as music director and Relief Society cultural arts instructor in LDS wards in Boston and Salt Lake. She is survived by her husband, Merrill; their five children, Brian (Nipa Cook), Alison (Jeff Ross), Barbara Ann (Glen Crowther), David (Kimber Cook), and Michelle (Thornton Bertoli); twelve grandchildren; and brothers Gill and Marc Sanders. She was predeceased by her parents, Mervyn and Maurine Sanders, her sister, Lynne Nelson, and her brother, Jack Sanders. Funeral services will be held at Noon on Monday, January 19th, at the Emigration Stake Center, 589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be a viewing on Saturday evening, January 17th, 6 to 9 p.m. at Salt Lake City Hall, 451 South State Street, and another viewing at the Emigration Stake Center from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. immediately prior to funeral services. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, Tuesday, January 20th, at Noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation. More information about Camille's exceptional life is available at www.premierfuneral.com. Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 16 to Jan. 17, 2015 |
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Ann Cannon (Levitre)
Camille sat next to me when we sang in Madrigals under the direction of Miss Bowman. She had such a
beautiful voice and was always so poised and friendly. Such a tragedy to have early Alzheimer's Disease!
We will miss seeing her at the 50th reunion! Ann Cannon LeVitre
Carol Hall (Bartholomew)
Besides Camille's angelic singing voice, she also had a delightful sense of humor, and she could really make me laugh. We used to joke with each other using a comical voice of a character we called "Ruthie," and she would draw cartoons of Ruthie for me in my class notes.....so silly but so much fun! It was that dry wit of Camille's which her friends saw. Perhaps because Camille was so brilliant and talented, she might have been percieved by some as being quiet and serious, but I was privileged to know the comedic side of her wonderful personality. I am convinced that she is now adding to heavenly choirs, although not (I hope) in her "Ruthie" voice. Someday I hope to enjoy her singing again. We love you and miss you, Camille!
Jill Wonnacott (Dunford)
Oh this is such sad news! She was so accomplished, but I had no idea that she had performed in so many different operas and venues. I didn't know about her humorous side, Carol. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Kent Hales
This is indeed sad news. I did not know Camille well in later years, but she was my very first crush . . . in Mrs. Fairbanks' kindergartin class. I remember how shy I was about giving her valentine's cards in first and second grade, but I remember how funny she was even back then. I lost contact with her when I transferred from Uintah in third grade and did not really know her well at East. One did not need, however, to know her well to know and appreciate her remarkable voice -- a real gift! I remember it so well from East and when she and Merrill were in Boston. We will all miss her and her magnificent voice. She sings now with the angels.
Steve Smith
I agree with Kent, this is a shock! Such talent will be missed, she will now be singing with the best of the best. I will always remember her as a very bright and talented girl (woman) who was friendly to everyone. I didn’t make the connection with her husband, I have been involved with the Republican Party as I matured over the years, her husband has been a beacon of hope (in my opinion) for those of us who want to see this country move in a new direction.
Most of you don’t know that I was secretary treasure to the Young Democrats of Utah while I was at East; David Littlefield my good friend growing up (66 East graduate and still practicing law in Utah) was the president. We had some good times when JFK came to Utah helping with his campaign and getting to know many of his associates.
I was looking forward to seeing Camille during our reunion; RIP my good friend and may Heaven be a joyous occasion as you meet those you love.
Barbara Hammond (Benedict)
Very sad to hear of Camille's passing she was so brilliant, extremely talented, thoughts go out to her family
Wilford Gardner
I remember Camille's wry humor beneath a very calm exterior. I'm glad to hear from Carol Hall that Camille was so comical at times. I, too, am saddend by her death. I don't know how long she had Alzheimers disease, but I am truly saddend by her loss of life before her death. It is an insidious disease that steals recognition of loved ones and memory of a wonderful life well lived. At least now she can look back on it with joy.
Glen Tolman
The following was shared by Kristin Schoenhals Winterton on 1/28/2015
I returned a few days ago from attending Camille’s funeral in Salt Lake City. She and I were good friends, starting in 4th grade and throughout the years. Wherever Camille was, there was laughter and happiness and usually music. She was hilarious. She developed her beautiful soprano voice through many years of voice lessons and at the U. of Utah. I heard her sing in many programs, and her singing always thrilled me. Several times during the past dozen or so years, she’d come over to my mom’s house when I was in town and put on a little program for a small audience – always generous and happy to share her talent. I met my husband, Rick, through Camille and her husband, Merrill Cook; Rick and Merrill are first cousins. Camille wrote wonderful letters to me and illustrated parts of them with her distinctive “Cam drawings.” As we matured, I learned that she had a deeply spiritual nature. At her funeral, her five children told funny and touching stories about her. There’s no one like Camille, and I’ll always be grateful that I knew her for so many years. I’m confident that our strong relationship will continue in the next life.
Rinda Frye
I was saddened and stunned by the recent notice of Camille's death. I expect other were as well, as much of the chit chat on line stopped. I expect I'm not the only one feeling my mortality. I thought I'd share this quote from Canadian author Beatrice Macneil: "Dementia is life going backwards and colliding with its past self."