Constance (Connie) Lynn Cook

Constance (Connie) Lynn Cook passed away peacefully Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at the age of 72, after a fierce and courageous battle with breast cancer. 

 

Born Nov. 3, 1953 in Brussels to William (Bill) Coutts and Marie Coutts (Bennett), who predeceased her, she is survived by her daughter Hollie Howlett (Graham), her grandsons Dylan Christopher Howlett and Cameron Alexander Howlett, her sister Karen Carter (Allan), her nieces Pam Cummings (Curt), Cindy Carter (Chris), and Vicki Carter (Sean), and various extended family.

 

As a dedicated Registered Nurse of over 46 years, Connie spent the first part of her career working as a psychiatric nurse before progressing into complex continuing care, long-term care and retirement homes. Later in her career, she transitioned to working from home as a TeleHealth nurse, and finally ran her own semi-retired practice as a foot care nurse up until the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Throughout her nearly five-decade career, she fiercely advocated for patients’ rights, a duty she carried out even to the end when she became the patient herself. A caregiver by nature, she dutifully served those in her charge and supported those around her to do the same.

 

Connie was also an avid writer who loved sharing her voice with the world. Over the years, she had numerous articles published in local newspapers and magazines and she took great pride in self-publishing two books of her own.

 

In August of 2023, Connie made the move to Nova Scotia to be closer to her family and enjoy her time being “MeeMaw” to her first grandson, Dylan. Her incredible determination allowed her to fight through her late cancer diagnosis to welcome and meet her second grandson, Cameron. Though her grandsons are young, they will grow up knowing her through the memories shared by family and the very stories she wrote herself. 

 

Connie crafted a wonderful relationship with her daughter, Hollie, always supporting her through the various adventures from coast-to-coast. With sage wisdom and quick humour, they would often chat late into the night, attempting to come up with solutions to the world’s problems. Connie also shared a incredibly special relationship with her son-in-law, Graham, supporting him not only as family but as a fellow medical professional - always ready with a beer and an ear to bend.

 

Connie showed unconditional love in everything she did and left her mark on more people than she ever realized. Her dry wit, thoughtful advice and compassionate love will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Breast Cancer Canada (breastcancer.ca/ways-to-give/) in Connie’s name.