Obituary of Nel Cox

Cox, Nel Passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Monday, March 3, 2008 after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Herbert H. Cox, and is survived by her children Joanne & Brock Rondeau, Brian & Marsha Cox and Bill Cox & Georgia Guenther; by her grandchildren and (great-grandchildren) Colin & Julie Mitchell (Cameron), Kara & Yuri Machado (Sierra), Jason & Janine Cox (Stephen & Christopher), Megan & Andrew Shaw (Paige & Taylor), Ben & Suzanne Cox (Ethan & Ella), and Paul Cox. Nel was born in Field, B.C., the daughter of George and Mabel Hill, and younger sister of Jo Goranson. Her active outdoor childhood, among her beautiful mountains, included hiking, riding, skiing, golf, and other sports. On a trip east to Malartic Goldfields to visit her sister, she met and married Herbert H. Cox, mine manager. Together they enjoyed life in a small mining community with their three children. Nel always loved children and taught Sunday school and theatre. In 1957 they moved to Lawrence Park, Toronto, and later enjoyed retirement at Muir Park Condos. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family at their favourite Granite Club, where they played bridge, curled, and bowled. Herb died in 1991 but Nel continued to live independently at Muir Park until the last few days of her life. She loved to socialize, but her increasing deafness and, more recently, her failing eyesight, made it difficult for her to communicate. In her nineties she had such wonderful recall, she was able to publish a book of her memoirs. Always proudly independent, as her hearing declined she took a night school course in lip reading and carried on. Nel was the matriarch of her family - a confidant of each of her grandchildren and Great Nana to her eight grandchildren. She always had time to listen and was never short of support for her family's hopes and dreams. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the professional and caring support of Dr. Rob Fowler and the nursing team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.