Elwood Wesley Cooke died peacefully at his home in Dunkirk, Maryland on January 9, 2025 at the age of 93. Elwood was born 12/18/1931 in Washington, DC. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1951-1954 with a tour aboard the USS Bennington.


Elwood married the love of his life, Nancy Holt Santmyers in 1956. They shared 55 years together until Nancy's death in 2012. Together they raised three children, David Cooke, Susan Warner, and Linda Mignone. Elwood was blessed with 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 1 due to arrive in February.


Throughout his life, Elwood owned a successful small business, Cooke Studio. In his spare time, Elwood, pursued his passion for, creating and sharing his paintings of Working Boats and Landscapes with many in the Calvert community and beyond.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122.