Gladys Argentina Diaz Lara Cok Ph.D. M. J. (ASCP) (ASMT honorary member Kappa Lambda Tau), Microbiologist, Realtor, Chef, Artist, Model, Activist., 88 years old from Warwick passed peacefully at 1:45 p.m. on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2016 after struggling with, and from complications related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Born Sept. 25, 1928, the only child to Chin and Antonia Diaz Lara in La Vega, Dominican Republic. After High School she moved to Santo Domingo, and besides being a Beauty Queen, Model, and T.V. Weather Girl, she attended the University of Santo Domingo and received her Bachelor of Science in Physics and Natural Sciences in 1948. She then attended the Univ. of Puerto Rico and received a Doctor of Pharmacy and Chemical Sciences in 1952. After moving to the USA and receiving an internship as a Laboratory Technologist at Northern Westchester Hospital, Mt. Kisco, N.Y. in 1957 she met her future husband, Dr. Leo Cok M.D., when they were both working at the Hospital.
They moved for work and were married on March 22, 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri. Later that year new career opportunities brought them to R.I. Her first position was at Edgewood Hospital as a Medical Technologist, then from 1960-67 she worked at the V.A. Hospital in Providence and Researcher at the Public Health Dept. (Kingstown, RI). Finally, in 1967 she became the Program Director for the School of Medical Technology at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Providence. In 1970 she had a child, her only son Igor, and her mother Antonia Diaz Lara came from the Dominican Republic to help take care of him. Unfortunately, the marriage was suffering for some time and in 1979 divorce proceedings began and consumed her and the family for many years. At over 25 years, it became one of the longest most drawn out divorce cases in American History. She belonged to numerous professional organizations, political activism organizations, was a registered state lobbyist, a member of Court Watchers, several Women’s organizations, Artist, and most recently graduated Chef from Johnson and Wales Univ. in 2002.
She is survived by her son, Igor Cok.
The service and burial will be held this Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd. Providence, RI 02906. Beginning in the historic chapel at 2:30 p.m., Service at 3 p.m., interment to follow at the family lot before sunset. For more info please visit www.murphyfuneralhomes.org or call 401-737-3510.
