Mary Kathleen "Kakie" Cook

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held At Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church on Saturday July 18th at 11:00am for Kathleen ”Kakie” Cook, 84, who passed away on Sunday June 28th, 2026 in her home. Kakie’s great nephew, Father Matthew Higgonbothum, will officiate the ceremony. Lectors will be Nicholas & Rachel Totaro, Gift bearers are Amelia Cook, and Nathan Totaro. Interment will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery immediately following services. Reception to follow at Maison Mouton, 338 N. Sterling, Lafayette, La. (Entrance on Mudd Ave)

Kakie is survived by her children. Donell Cook Totaro (Karl Aloisio) of Lafayette and Scott Cook (Rachel) of Alexandria. Three grandchildren, Nicholas Totaro (Rachel) of Baton Rouge, Olivia Totaro Duhon (Lee) of Lafayette and Amelia Cook of Alexandria, and 4 great grandchildren. Nathan and Micah Totaro of Baton Rouge and Emma June & Clara Duhon of Lafayette.

Kakie is preceded in death by her husband Larry Donald Cook after 52 years of marriage. Her parents, Beatrice Broussard Smith and Merlin Chapman Smith. One sister, Dorothy “Dotsie” Butcher (Eldon Butcher) and one brother Merlin Chapman “ Smitty” Smith, Jr., Ret. USAF Col. (Elizabeth Shamp Smith).

Born and raised in Lafayette, La. And named after her great grandmother Mrs. Charles (Mary) Smith, who donated the land for the Academy of the Sacred Heart all girls school in Grand Coteau for girls to be educated in the 1820’s. Kakie was in the 2nd graduating class from Our Lady of Fatima in 1960 (class of 22 students) and attended USL for a Business degree with a minor in Visual Arts. Her sorority days as a Tri-Sigma carried on her family legacy that she passed on to her daughter and granddaughter. This is where she met the love of her life, a young Cajun boy from the small town of Plaquemine, Louisiana, Larry Cook. They were married in 1963 where Larry ‘s job with Sears & Robuck took them on their many years of travels to many states. Their final stop was Alexandria, Louisiana where they raised their 2 children, but Lafayette was always her true home. After many years of owning businesses, a Stationary Company, a Jewelry Store and Mrs. Cooks Coin Laundry, where Kakie endured many hours of bookkeeping, she spent her free time as an Exchangette (womens part of the Exchange Club) and as the wife of a member of Parlangua (Mens) Mardi Gras Crew. When Kakie & Larry retired they made Scott, Louisiana their final home. Kakie loved to draw, paint and beading jewerly. She left behind many of her creations for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to remember her by.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Southern Grace Hospice for their excellent care, and heartfelt thanks to Mary Stephens, Lorrie Anderson and Lou Ann Harrison her caregivers, for their kindness, love and attention to Kakie during her time in need.

Tina Sinegal, you have a special place in heaven, thank you for loving both my parents and being there for me! D

Thank you, Walters Funeral Home, for your professionalism during this difficult time.