Ann Turner Cook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Turner Cook
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| Born |
Ann Leslie Turner
November 20, 1926 Westport, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Died | June 3, 2022 (aged 95) St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
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| Education | Southern Methodist University (BA) University of South Florida (MA) |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Gerber Baby |
| Spouse(s) |
James Cook
(died 2004) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) |
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Ann Turner Cook was an American teacher and writer. She was born Ann Leslie Turner on November 20, 1926. She passed away on June 3, 2022. Ann was most famous for being the original model for the well-known Gerber Baby picture. This picture is seen on many baby food packages from the Gerber Products Company.
The Famous Gerber Baby
Ann was born in Westport, Connecticut. Her father, Leslie Turner, was a cartoonist. He drew the comic strip Captain Easy. Their neighbor was an artist named Dorothy Hope Smith. When Ann was a baby, Dorothy drew a picture of her using charcoal.
In 1928, the Gerber company was looking for baby pictures. They wanted to use these pictures for their new baby food products. Dorothy Hope Smith sent in her drawing of baby Ann. Gerber loved it and chose it! The drawing became a trademark in 1931. Since then, Ann Turner Cook's baby picture has been on almost all Gerber baby food packages.
For many years, the identity of the Gerber Baby was a secret. It wasn't until 1978 that people found out it was Ann Turner Cook. In 1990, she even appeared on a TV show called To Tell the Truth.
Ann's family later moved to Orlando, Florida. She went to college and earned degrees in English. She studied at Southern Methodist University and the University of South Florida.
Ann's Career as a Teacher and Writer
Ann Turner Cook started her career as a teacher. She taught at elementary and junior high schools in Florida. In 1966, she began teaching English at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida. She eventually became the head of the English department there.
Her students really admired her. They dedicated their 1972 school yearbook to her. They described her as a teacher who truly connected with students. They said she worked hard and supported her team.
After she retired from teaching, Ann became a novelist. She joined a group called the Mystery Writers of America. She wrote a series of mystery novels called the Brandy O'Bannon series. These stories were set along Florida's Gulf Coast. Her books included Trace Their Shadows (2001) and Shadow over Cedar Key (2003).
Ann's Family Life
Ann was married to James Cook. He worked as a criminologist for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. They had four children together. James passed away in 2004.
Ann Turner Cook died at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida, on June 3, 2022. She was 95 years old.
