Susan Annette Cook

BASS HARBOR – Susan Annette Cook, free spirit and true friend, drew her last breath April 14, 2026, in the presence of people who loved her.

Born in Skowhegan, Sept. 22, 1953, to Annette Mildred Staples Cook and Charles Clayton Cook, Sue learned self-reliance growing up on a dairy farm in Cornville. As a child, she sold cucumbers and corn at the roadside and was assigned responsibility for the cows while her older sister, Sandra, did the indoor chores.

After graduating from Skowhegan High School, she earned her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with high distinction from The University of Maine at Farmington before relocating to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from The University of Maine at Orono. From there, Sue was recruited by Doctor Charity Waymouth to join her research lab at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor where Sue worked diligently in a variety of positions during her 43-plus year career there.

She contributed to discovery in several areas, including the genetics of diabetes with Dr. Edward Leiter and the development of mouse models for human disease as a key member of the Genetic Resource Sciences program with Dr. Muriel Davisson. In that program, she characterized and mapped approximately 150 spontaneous mutants with relevance in many fields, including neurological and neuromuscular defects, hearing loss, kidney disease, and developmental defects. In addition, Sue co-authored over 30 peer reviewed papers and an NIH-funded grant that studied the biology and genetics of kidney disorders.

In the last 15 years of her long career, she was part of the genotyping team. She didn’t seek the spotlight in her work; instead, she excelled in the troubleshooting and validation that made every product as optimized as possible. She had what colleagues affectionately called “magic hands” – an uncanny ability to get genotyping to work when no one else could. Her dedication to The Jackson Laboratory and her commitment to doing things with care and excellence made her a role model for many.

Sue described her parents as “hardworking” and Sue’s own work ethic was second to none. In order to purchase her home in Bass Harbor she worked two jobs for six years, starting with the overnight shift at Sonogee Estates followed by a full day of work at The Jackson Laboratory. She knew how to squeeze 12 cents out of a dime, yet routinely made generous contributions to various charities, especially those that protected animals and their natural habitat. Sue’s love of animals was a central theme throughout her life; the pets she rescued and loved tended to be as unique in character as she was.

In addition to her work ethic, Sue was known for her dry sense of humor, direct honesty, integrity, tenacity and loyalty to those she cared for. She kept her own counsel, being generally quiet-spoken until, by necessity, she was not. She was always willing to help a friend, no matter how inconvenient. Her many friends appreciated her pithy wit, commonsense practicality and sense of adventure. At home on Mount Desert Island Sue most enjoyed kayaking or hiking with friends, including circumnavigating MDI via kayak, in stages, with her pal Skippy Lane.

Her curiosity and love of exploration were not limited to her home state. A fearless solo traveler, Sue’s many trips abroad included China, Bhutan, Peru, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands, South Africa, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, several parts of Italy including Sicily, and many other destinations throughout Europe, where Barcelona was her favorite.

Sue was predeceased by her parents; and sister, Sandra Cook Linkletter; and several close friends, including Priscilla “Skippy” Lane, Dick Trefethen and Theresa Hopkins.

Sue is survived by her stepmother, Helen Cook; brother-in-law, Richard Linkletter and wife Nora; nephew, Scot Linkletter and his wife Helen, nephew, Alan Linkletter and wife Kate, nephew, Michael Linkletter and wife Julie, niece, Jean Linkletter Bussell and husband Cory; 13 great-nieces/nephews; four great-great-niece and nephews; Mike, Roger and Gary Staples and many other cousins in the Staples branch of the family; and a diverse array of loyal friends who have many entertaining stories.

To share those tales and remember her unique spirit, a memorial gathering of her friends and family will be held May 13 at High Seas, 276 Schooner Head Rd., Bar Harbor, arrival beginning 4:30 p.m. Bring a dish if you wish.

We thank Marlene Walker, Charlene Wallace, Zelma McAlbine and the team of devoted caregivers at Total Care Solutions.

Charitable donations in Sue’s memory would be welcomed at any animal shelter, your local library, or Dana Farber Cancer Institute.