OBITUARY

Obituaries

Brenda Cooke Pratt

March 8, 1924 - February 14, 2007

Brenda Cooke Pratt lived most of her life on islands. On March 8th 1924, Brenda was born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawai'i, to Theodore Atherton and Muriel Howatt Cooke, joining her three older sisters, Elizabeth (Beba), Mary, and Catherine (Cappy). As a third generation Kama`aina, with missionary ancestors on both sides of her family, she spoke with a Hawaiian New England accent that included many Hawaiian words and was raised with expectations of public service.

When Brenda was three years old, her grandmother, Anna Rice Cooke founded the Honolulu Academy of Arts, "That our children of many nationalities and races, born far from the centers of art, may receive an intimation of their own cultural legacy and wake to the ideals embodied in the arts of their neighbors..." Brenda spent many happy hours during her childhood in the museum galleries and courtyards, and it was here that her great love of beautiful works of art was formed.

Brenda loved Hawai'i for both the land and the sea: the breezes, fragrances, and mists; the currents, tides, and waves. Brenda preferred to go barefoot and learned how to surf from David Kahanamoku, brother of The Duke. Brenda was born with a keen sense of humor, and was always an avid reader, writer, and lover of books.

After going to Hanahau'oli and Punahou schools in Honolulu, she went to the mainland for further education at the Katherine Branson School, Sarah Lawrence College, and Barnard College, where she focused on Asian art and literature. Brenda was in school on the mainland during the attack on Pearl Harbor and was stranded there for several years before being able to return to Hawai'i by troop ship.

Her first job out of college was as a curator at the Nelson-Adkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, and later she served as a registrar and docent at the Art Academy back in Honolulu.

Brenda married J. Scott B. Pratt III on June 18, 1949, and while living in Kaneohe she had two sons, Thane and Boyd. After moving up Tantalus in the hills above Honolulu, they later lived in an apartment at the foot of Diamond Head. Brenda wrote extensively, including a manuscript on Hawaiian archaeology for children. A life-long lover of dogs, she was an active member of the Hawaiian Humane Society.

In her thirties and forties, Brenda gradually lost her sight to a genetic condition, retinitis pigmentosa, but retained her incredible visual memory and orientation. She developed many skills that allowed her to live independently until her death.

Brenda was a master at solving tortuous British crossword puzzles, and she could describe the artwork in her home that she had not seen for decades in greater detail than those of us who can see it every day.

In 1964, Scott and Brenda bought property on Mulno Cove, San Juan Island. After spending many summers there, they moved to the island full time in 1975. Inspired by Brenda's love of all things Scottish, they raised Scottish Highland Cattle. Brenda was active with the San Juan Historical Museum, serving on the Board and as President, as well as being a docent and volunteer. She also continued her writing even after becoming blind, producing articles about local history.

Brenda enjoyed the weekly handicraft group, and her knit scrubbies were always a hot seller at the annual fundraising bazaar. Many island babies were welcomed into this world with one of Brenda’s hand-knit sweaters.

Brenda is survived by her sons Thane and Boyd; daughters-in-law Linda and Lovel; and grandchildren Robert, Gemma, Theo, and Elwyn; as well as a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, and her 'favorite son' Maka. She is dearly missed.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held by St. David's Church, which is undergoing renovation, in St. Francis Catholic Church on Thursday, February 22nd at 3:30 pm. The Rev. Nancy Tiederman will officiate. A reception at the San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. David’s Episcopal Church, San Juan Historical Museum, Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor, or the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

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