Ann Elizabeth (Bango Cook) Layne, 75, of Industry, passed away on September 14th, 2026, following an intensely brave, private, and often stubborn 4.5-year battle with colorectal cancer, refusing to let it define who she was. She was much stronger than we could imagine or wanted her to be.
She was born in Rochester on March 19th, 1951, a daughter of the late James Joseph and Coral Louise (Bailey) Bango. She was raised in Rochester and later married Terry Cook. They moved to Freedom and raised their 5 children.
Ann dedicated her younger years to working as a stay-at-home mom. She then opened her own business, “Ann’s Anything’s Possible,” and truly anything was possible! From specialty cakes, fresh baked snacks, and homemade meals to craft shows, gorgeously tailored clothing, and home remodeling; she had a vivid imagination to bring dreams to life. She retired from the Monaca Walmart after dedicating 30 years to the fabric department. During that time, she remarried to James Layne leading her heart and family to grow bigger by 2 daughters.
She loved to share time, meals, a game, or a story, as well as teaching her hobbies to family and her many friends. She welcomed her neighborhood as if they were her own family. The house was always full of laughter, neighborhood kids, and the aroma of homemade meals. She had a lifelong love of God, fishing, canoeing, the northern lights, shooting stars, and marveling at all of God’s creations. She was a beautiful (or “bootiful” as Eli says), strong independent, talented, loving, and sometimes hard-headed and obstinate. She had “adopted” many of her friends into her family. She developed many deep friendships which makes it impossible to list all who loved her and she loved back. They include: Donna Cain, Karen Sutkovich, Linda, Rick, Ricky, Chelsea and children (Chovan), Sue and Bob Mortimer and family, Monica, Anna, her Walmart family, as well as too many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles to name.
When we were young, she would always say she wanted to have a commune for her family to live alongside her. Despite family growing up, moving away, and all the complications that come with life, Ann spent the last weeks of her life with her commune while sharing a deep love and healing that can only come from a loving God. She would hope and ask for all to tell someone you love them today, pray for each other, forgive, and spend time with loved ones; “Life is the longest, shortest adventure you will have.”
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her second husband, James Layne and her step granddaughter, Corrina Layne.
She is survived by her sons: Aaron (Brandi) Cook, TJ (Michelle) Cook, and Matt Cook; daughters, Joanna (Jesse Burkert) Sampson, Jessica Cook, Laura (Robert) Probst, Amanda (Donald) Layne; as well as her brothers, James Bango and Thomas Bango, her sisters, Mary Kutzko and Jessica Bango, her grandchildren: Forrest (Leslie) Sampson, Phoenix Sampson, Ashley (Brett) Gallo, Kirstin Neely, Sumir (Jericho) Dobritz, Isabelle Mattie Cook, Brittney (Ryan) Hottenfeller, Brandon (Samie) Childers, Gemma Cook, Elise Propst, Angelina Probst, Stephen Layne; and great grandchildren, Auroa Sampson, Ryker Gallo, Maddox Gallo, Elijah Gallo, Cohen Hottenfeller, Benjamin Dobritz.
The family would like to thank AHN healthcare providers, Concordia visiting Nurses, and Good Samaritan Hospice for the compassionate care, love, and respect they provided. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice House, https://concordialm.org/donate/ (click here).
A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date. Private inurnment is to take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, 379 Engle Road, Industry.
Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.
