Interview with longtime members

Di Cook

Born and raised in Leesburg, I went north to college outside Boston.  I met my future husband, Jack Cook, on a blind date. My friend Sally said, “Di, he’s from Virginia.” Jack was on the Naval Academy crew team and rowing against Harvard, MIT and Dartmouth.  They won the race. Two weeks later they were back to row in the Nationals. By then we were in love, a very successful Blind Date!   

We married in Leesburg the day after Jack’s graduation in the first military wedding ceremony at St James since the Civil War. The wedding flowers were wonderful. We spent the next 16 years moving around the world including a 1963-64 tour in Japan when Jack was commanding, of all things, an ocean going salvage tug boat.   

While in Yokosuka, I joined other wives in studying flower arranging. We lived on “the economy” because Naval base housing was scarce.  Once a week a Japanese florist visited our neighborhood on a bicycle pulling a small trailer full of fresh flowers. He would sit with me on the front porch, smile, chatter and create a large arrangement in the “Nageiri style” translated as “thrown together”.  I would smile, listen, not understanding a word, but fully understanding intent, bow respectfully, give him 300 yen ($1.50).  Then I took the arrangement inside and created 3 or 4 arrangement in the spare Ichiyo style of Ikebana that I was studying. Later that year my “sensei” (teacher) sent me twice to Tokyo to meet with the masters of Ichiyo. Then one day in class she clapped once, so we stopped, stood up and faced her. She walked up to me, bowed and with both hands presented me with a scroll, then turning to the class said. “Now Di-san and I are equal.” I was a diplomate of Ichiyo. 

Jack finished his command tour of a Polaris submarine in 1973.  We were sitting on our lanai in Oahu looking out over Pearl Harbor. He said,  “What would you say if I told you that I’d like to resign from the Navy and go to medical school? “ I said “Hallelujah !!!” 

After med school in New Haven and residency in Charlottesville we returned to Leesburg and settled in my family home, Rockspring Farm. 

In retrospect, studying watercolor in Charlottesville complemented studying flower arranging in Japan.  Both are the art of visual expression. 

I became a member of the Leesburg Garden Club in the 80s.  The Garden Club still is a wonderful part of my life.  I made and retain great  friends. Following my sensei’s example, I sought to create an inclusive environment when in leadership.  Membership in 2 clubs, president of both, GCV flower show chair plus committee involvement were and are a most important part of my life!!  

Ikebana means “making flowers alive”.  Balance, grace, harmony combined with friendships, a good cause and a supportive family. 

What I liked about the Leesburg Garden Club: I liked the welcoming feeling I felt becoming a member. I was very impressed with the knowledge these women had of gardens, flowers and the preservation of the natural beauty all around us and beyond. Vinton Pickins, Eeda Dennis, Helen Williams, Agnes Harrison, to name a few. They taught me a lot about gardens, the beauty around us and trying to preserve it!! Our present members members of the LGC are knowledgeable, creative, and delightful to be around!!! It’s a great organization and I feel very honored to be a member !!!