Shirley “Cookie” Janko, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Saturday, August 9th, 2025.
Beloved wife of the late Joseph Janko, devoted mother to the late Thomas Tate, inspirational and doting grandmother to Melissa Tate, Stephanie Wright (Matt), and Candice Dixon. A very important and wise great grandmother to Nicholas Feldt, Thomas Wright, Matthew Wright, and Raven Dugger. Sister of Delores Day and loving aunt and cousin to a huge group.
Loving daughter of the late Joseph Rustige and Lenore Russell.
Cookie was born in Saint Louis on January 12th, 1929, moved to Washington DC after high school and worked at the National Real Estate Board. She loved the vibe and night life there. She loved to dance and listen to live music.
She moved to Wyoming worked for Standard Oil, got married, had her precious son Tom, and came back home to Saint Louis to stay.
Cookie was a central figure and the final link to the past for a lot of people in life. She was always available to any friend or family member no questions asked. She gave unconditional love, respect, understanding, and grace to all she knew.
Her house was a family hub with family members stopping over to visit her and her dear mother almost daily. She wouldn’t let you leave until you ate something or at least had a drink of water. She wouldn’t let up. She was always hospitable and ready to socialize.
As a senior, she worked until she was 88 and still didn’t want to retire. Her work ethic and get up and go attitude was unmatched. She loved to shop and have lunch with her cousin Helen. It was quite a sight.
Cookie’s greatest joy in life was to tell anyone who would listen about her Tommy Tate, her beautiful granddaughters (her words) and her “Little Darling” Nick.
She was the biggest confidence booster, cheerleader, and defender to all she loved.
Cookie will be treasured and remembered for all the love she gave and it was a complete honor to know and love her.
SERVICES: Funeral at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL (10151 Gravois Rd., 63123) on Friday, August 15th at 10:00 AM. Interment at Park Lawn Cemetery. Visitation on Thursday, August 14th, 4:00 – 8:00 PM.
I knew Cookie for many years and always admired how she loved her family. She was a fierce protector of her loved ones and a great grandmother and GiGi. She will be missed by many.
I loved hearing stories about this amazing woman. She lives on in all her beautiful grandchildren.
I had a crush on Tommy when I was 12 and he was 15 or 16. He worked on the paper truck with my brother that delivered my Dad’s newspaper. I waited for that truck every day to see him.
Then, I became “friends” with Mrs. Janko. I would go by her house and sit and talk to her while she cooked supper for Mr. Janko. My intention was to see Tommy when he came home.
She was so gracious and kind and let me bother her nearly every day. I contacted her later in life and had lunch with her. She was a very sweet and special lady.
RIP Mrs. Janko. Say hello to Tommy for me.
Cookie was an important part of my life and that of my family. As mentioned in the obituary, she was a link to parts of my family about which I always wanted to learn more. More than that, she was an incredible source of kindness, inquisitiveness, and advice. Her power of memory, even late in life, was an inspiration. I always felt like I could talk to her about anything. All of our love to you, Cookie. We’ll always be laughing with Aunt Nora in Granny’s kitchen.