Jean Cooke (1927–2008): Ungardening – A Quiet Revolution Jean Cooke was born in London on February 18, 1927, to Arthur Oregon Cooke and his wife. Arthur owned a shop in Blackheath, London where he sold hardware supplies and groceries. Until she was about 6+1⁄2 years old, Cooke spent a lot of time in her father’s shop. Her mother saw little value in education and kept her out of school until then. Her mother had an artistic spirit, cre…