For decades, Mary Cook has delighted readers with her stories of growing up in the Ottawa Valley. It was only fitting that her remarkable contributions to local literature and culture were celebrated with a plaque unveiling on the Carleton Place Public Library’s Local Author Walk on July 10.
Some people collect souvenirs; Mary Cook collected stories — and thank goodness she did, because the Ottawa Valley would have been a far quieter place without them. Growing up on a farm near Renfrew during the Great Depression, Mary learned early that life didn’t need fancy packaging to be interesting. A family kitchen, a woodstove, a stubborn cow or an opinionated neighbour could all become unforgettable characters in her hands. When her family later settled in Carleton Place, she carried those memories with her and transformed everyday Valley life into literary gold.
Over the years, Mary wrote a remarkable collection of books, including Another Place at the Table, A Bubble Off Plumb, Christmas with Mary Cook, Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! and This Then Was Home, just to name a few. Each was filled with the warmth, humour and gentle wisdom that became her trademark. Reading a Mary Cook story was like sitting at a kitchen table with a fresh cup of tea while someone reminded you why ordinary people were anything but ordinary. Listeners across the Ottawa Valley also welcomed Mary into their homes through her beloved radio broadcasts. Her familiar voice preserved the region’s colourful history one delightful tale at a time, proving that nostalgia was best served with a generous helping of laughter.
Mary’s dedication reached far beyond writing. She devoted an astonishing 70 years to the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Carleton Place Outstanding Service Award and citations from premiers and prime ministers. Alongside her husband, Wally, she also received the Carleton Place Lifetime Achievement Award. The couple celebrated an extraordinary 70 years of marriage — a partnership almost as enduring as Mary’s stories.
It was only fitting that Mary Cook joined the Carleton Place Public Library’s Local Author Walk side by side with The Hardy Boys author Leslie McFarlane. Her words preserved the Ottawa Valley’s heart, humour and heritage for generations. Long after the last page was turned, Mary’s stories continued to remind us that the richest history wasn’t found in textbooks — it was found around the kitchen table, preferably with pie.
Thanks go to everyone who helped contribute funds to this special tribute, as well as John Jordan’s office for providing a special commemoration honouring Mary and all she has done. A huge thank you also goes to MPP Scott Reid, who was there to present Mary with a certificate and a donation for the plaque. Mary Cook has spent a lifetime collecting stories. So Carleton Place made sure her own story — and her enormous contribution to ours — was remembered too.
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