Gayle Cook, cofounder of the Cook companies along with her late husband, Bill, died Sunday, Aug. 17. She was 91 years old and was a billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist.

She and her husband, founded Cook Inc. in their Bloomington apartment in 1963. The company grew into the international Cook Group company that primarily manufactures medical devices.

“Gayle’s spirit of innovation was evident in everything she did. Whatever she was involved in, she left it better than she found it. This was true of her philosophy for the ever-growing company, her extensive efforts in renovating historically significant places, and her daily interactions with other people. That’s her inspiring legacy that we will keep striving for,” said Pete Yonkman, president of Cook Medical and Cook Group, in a

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