DARLENE "OHSONTIIO" COOK

AKWESASNE – Darlene "Ohsontiio" Cook, Deer Clan, 66, of 204 Snye School Road, peacefully went back to the Spirit World on Friday morning, January 11, 2019 at her home.

Ohsontiio was born June 10, 1952 in Cornwall, Ontario the daughter of the late Francis Arquette and Rose Mary Cook. She attended schools in Akwesasne before going to Mater Dei and St. Lawrence College, where she graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

Ohsontiio worked for Mohawk Council for 25 years in various positions helping people in the community. After her retirement, she started teaching Mohawk in Ganienkeh, where she worked for 2 years. She also started the first Language Nest and organized the first healing/talking circles for the community. She was a member of the Mohawk Nation Longhouse and the Akwesasne Death Benefits Group. She took great pride in teaching the Mohawk language to the youth of the community. She enjoyed listening to traditional music, shopping, traveling, gardening, and loved her animals.

She is survived by her daughter, Alexandra "Sandi" Cook of Akwesasne; her granddaughter, Kariwiiostha Dupree; her step-father, Gene Marmon of Syracuse; her sister, Mary Arquette of Akwesasne; her brothers, David and Mary Arquette of Akwesasne; Craig Arquette of Akwesasne; Steve Arquette of Rochester, and John Arquette of Georgia; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her mother, Rosemary Cook Marmon; her father, Francis Arquette; and her grandmother who raised her, Maryann Cook in 1991.

Friends called on Monday at her home where funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 15. Burial will follow in Solomon Road Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Akwesasne Freedom School.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.