Cooke, then Mary Ceeney, joined Abta in 1980 as head of council and committee services, recruited from City and Guilds, where she worked on training schemes for travel agents designed with Abta. In 1986, she became assistant director general under David Epstein.
In 1988, Cooke left Abta to join Super Break as brochure production manager. As tourism manager for London Transport from 1989 to 2003, she promoted travel to the capital to agents and operators around the world, and was responsible for travel information bureaux at major London railway stations and airports.
She married Brian Cooke in 1995, whom she met through Abta and who ran several travel agencies including Mersea Travel in Essex and Downham Travel in Bromley.
For many years until her death, she was secretary of the Abtarians Association for retired council, committee and secretariat members. An Abta spokesperson said: “We were very sad to hear that Mary Cooke has passed away and we offer our condolences to her family and friends.”
A JustGiving account has been set up in her memory. Donations will be split between Kent Association for the Blind and Beckenham Rotary Club’s president’s fund, which benefits local causes.
A public memorial service will be held in March.
Cooke has also been fondly remembered for her services to Beckenham, where she was elected councillor for Shortlands ward in 2014 and where she worked closely with the local residents’ association.
Scott Pattenden, chair of the Beckenham Conservative Association, said Cooke’s interest in health resulted in her being elected to chair the council’s adult social care scrutiny committee. He added she was also a "vociferous" supporter of efforts in her local area to reduce social isolation.
Another passion saw Cooke hold an allotment for more than 25 years, chairing the council’s allotment panel and organising its annual competition. Pattenden said she firmly believed "friendships grew along with the vegetables".
"To those who had the good fortune to get to know Mary, her friendship was an incredible gift that she bestowed to fortunate recipients, often informing people in her direct manner, ’you’re my friend now’," said Pattenden. "Her smile and sense of humour entertained so many and she brightened up any proceeding she attended."
