Missey Moe-Cook ’71: Helping Mayfield’s ‘important work’ to endure

“ ‘Actions Not Words’? I believe it from the core of my core,” says Marxianna “Missey” Moe-Cook ’71, who attended both Mayfield Junior School and Mayfield Senior School. After attending Cal State LA, Missey worked as a speech pathologist before transitioning into a 30-year career as a hospital marketing executive. However, she says, “I wouldn’t have been able to do half of that if I had not been given the foundation.” Missey’s mother’s dedication to single-sex education and their shared Catholic faith serve as undying inspirations to her.

Missey has spent years teaching Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers and instructing the VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children” program. Marrying later in life, she chose a partner whose journey was also strongly driven by faith—James Cook, who spent several years as a priest. Missey and Jim have been married for 28 years and, although they never had children together, they are godparents to 12!

 

Despite living in Connecticut for decades, Missey has stayed involved with Mayfield. She served on Mayfield’s Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2013, and will be the Alum Council Secretary for 2021- 22. She has also worked with classmate Connie Howell White ’71 to coordinate their 10th, 40th, 45th and now their 50th class reunions. Missey has observed many changes in the school over the years, and, through her niece Caroline Moe ’15, who was Senior Class President, has stayed in touch with the student perspective.

 

Missey says the leadership during COVID-19 was “nothing short of remarkable...honest to God, I think Kate [Morin] is the best head of school since I graduated 50 years ago.”

 

In August 2020, when Missey and Jim moved back to California, they revisited their wills and trusts, and Missey says one of her first calls was to Associate Head of School for Strategic Initiatives Angela Howell ’76. Together, they came up with a thoughtful strategy to include Mayfield in their estate giving plans, and Missey wants to inspire more alums to do the same. She says she was “lucky” to attend Mayfield, “and if I can be an example for others, that’s good.” She hopes to help girls have the opportunities her mother gave her, saying, “I want this to go on. It is important work.”