Kathleen Ann Cox

1938 – 2010

Kathleen Cox, a longtime resident of Renton, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2010, with family by her side, after a 3 year battle with cancer.Kathleen was born in Williston, North Dakota in 1938 to Jennings and Cecelia Collins. She had three brothers Lawrence, James and Gerald, all whom preceded her in death. Kathleen was an Irish Catholic and a descendant of the O’Neil families in Ireland. Her family moved from North Dakota to Renton when Kathleen was 14 years of age. Her father and brothers sought work at the Boeing Company which was booming at that time. Kathleen attended Renton High School. After high school, Kathleen worked for Boeing in the wire shop and was very proud of her work, knowing she had worked on the wiring for the first Air Force One 707 jet that Eisenhower flew on. Kathleen married Edward Cox in 1962 and became a homemaker. Kathleen had two children, Darryl and Linda. As the children grew older, Kathleen worked part-time for Salvation Army enjoying everyone she came into contact with. Kathleen and her husband Edward were married 34 years when he preceded her in death in 1996. She continued to live as a widow in her Renton home (which was the same home that her husband, Edward Cox grew up in) which was built in 1911 during the early mining days of Renton. She continued to live in Renton until October 2009, at which time she moved to Radcliffe Place Senior Residence in Kent. Kathleen was a lover of all animals. She had previously owned a very special pet dog, named “Buffy” and many cats throughout her life. She also enjoyed the wild animals that frequented the back yard at her home. On various occasions she would have several raccoon families visiting the viewing stand so they could see her in the house. She had named the Deer that would come into the yard and they would respond to her by name when she called them.She is survived by her daughter Linda and her husband Randy Kettel of Kent; son Darryl Cox and his wife Kim of Chehalis, 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, as well as aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Kathleen’s later life revolved around her family, especially her grandchildren. She had special bonds with them and cherished the times they spent with her throughout the years. She felt fortunate to get to know and spend time the last 3 years with her 4 great-grandchildren, as grandson Chris and family were stationed in Seattle for military duty during that time.Although, she struggled with her health in the past years, she looked forward to the special times and get-togethers with her family. Kathleen was a strong person and always had a good outlook on life and a sense of humor, even as her health was declining.Kathleen was loved by everyone who met her, as her caring personality was one to always reach out and make sure others were treated fairly and equally. She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends.Funeral Service was held on September 20, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Greenwood Memorial Chapel and Park in Renton, WA, with burial immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.