‘Unrepeatable’: Reverend Michelle Cook remembered as tireless advocate and inspirational leader

Reverend Michelle Cook is being remembered as a nationally beloved minister, tireless friend and ally, and ‘unrepeatable human’ after her death in a tragic accident.

Rev Dr Michelle Cook is being remembered as a loving mum, friend, and spiritual leader after her tragic death last week.

Reverend Michelle Cook is being remembered as a beloved friend, mum and spiritual leader after her death in a tragic accident in Darwin last week.

Uniting Church minister Dr Cook was struck by a 12-year-old schoolboy riding a push bike as she stepped onto the footpath outside her Nakara home, falling and suffering critical head injuries.

She died in hospital on Saturday aged 49, offering a final gift to others through organ donation.

“She was an extraordinary person,” Uniting Church Northern Synod moderator Reverend Tony Goodluck said.

“We’re all reeling … she was a truly unique and unrepeatable human being with remarkable gifts of leadership, teaching and compassion.

“We ask that you continue to hold James, Zane, Marda and their family in your love and prayers as they grieve a dearly loved wife, mother and daughter.”

‘Truly unique and unrepeatable’: Rev Dr Michelle Cook.

Dr Cook was chosen as Moderator-elect of the Northern Synod in April this year.

Growing up in Brisbane’s Indooroopilly Uniting Church, she served in the Presbytery of Tasmania, Queensland communities at Weipa, along the Frontier Services’ Cape York Patrol, Mapoon and Yalga Binbi before moving to the Northern Territory.

In a statement Uniting Church Australia president Reverend Charissa Suli said: “Michelle has been a nationally beloved and highly respected member of our church and her loss is tremendous.”

“We give praise and thanks to God for Michelle’s deep faith, good humour, sharp insights, astute theological mind and willingness to go to the edges for God’s people.

“Her loss will be felt far and wide and she will be deeply missed.”

In Canberra this August, calling for an increase to Australia's foreign aid budget.

Ms Suli said Dr Cook was “a tireless friend and ally” to Aboriginal members of the church.

“She was deeply committed to First Nations theological perspectives and insights and to shared learning … advocating for their voices to be heard and respected, and for the rightful place of Congress within our church.”

Michelle (R) with her friend Karyn Gardner, who shared this picture from 1994 on a tribute page, captioned 'beginning to feel like grown ups'.

Dozens shared loving memories of Dr Cook on an online tribute page.

“Michelle, from Sunday school singalongs of ‘Father Abraham’ to all the laughter and memories that followed, you’ve been one of the truest friends I could ever ask for,” childhood friend Karyn Gardner wrote.

“Through every phase of life, you brought wisdom and unwavering support.

“Thank you for being you, for all the joy, and for every beautiful memory.”

Head of the Benevolent Society, Lin Hatfield Dodds, said: “Michelle was one of our most beloved Uniting saints.”

“She led the way and set the standard in so many arenas. Quietly and without a fuss. She stood with, inspired, disrupted, and lived with so much joy and integrity.”

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 14, at 10.30am at Nightcliff Uniting Church in Darwin.

Originally published as ‘Unrepeatable’: Reverend Michelle Cook remembered as tireless advocate and inspirational leader