Dorothy Cox

Dorothy Cox, 91of Silver Bay, MN died on February 15th, 2017 at Carefree Living in Silver Bay after a short illness.

Dorothy was born December 21, 1925 to John and Francis (Mramor) Koscak in Chisholm, Minnesota where she grew up and graduated from high school. Dorothy then attended the University of Minnesota for 3 years majoring in Journalism, before marrying the love of her life, William Cox on June 26, 1946. They were married for 70 years and Bill preceded her in death on November 29, 2016.

Dorothy saw her main role as that of wife and mother, but held different jobs through the years as Editor of the Silver Bay News, Manager of The Silver Bay Loan Association and for twenty years as a Clerk for the City of Silver Bay before her retirement in 1986. In her younger years, she was very active as a volunteer at St Mary’s Catholic Church, as well as in other civic organizations, and usually held leadership roles. In her later years, as mobility was more of an issue, she had a card ministry, sending her homemade photography cards and words of encouragement on an on-going basis to those with chronic illnesses.

Dorothy was a very generous, and giving person with the soul of an artist. She did photography, writing, painting, scrapbooking, sewing many craft projects, and was an avid story teller. She also had the gift of hospitality, with everyone welcome in her home at all times. She loved her dream home on the shore of Lake Superior for thirty-eight years and wanted everyone to share in that paradise of hers.

Most of all, Dorothy was about family and friends. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life and she would expound on their virtues to anyone who would listen. She adored her nieces and nephews and their families, was keenly interested in their lives and stayed in close touch with them through visits, cards and e-mails until her death. Though she had lost many friends, she cherished those she had left, especially Tootie LeBlanc who touched base with her daily, for years.

The last four and one half years were devoted to her beloved Bill, visiting him daily at the Silver Bay Veterans home where he suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. Dorothy lived an independent life until July 4, 2016 when she fell and broke her hip, since then, she lived at Carefree Living in Silver Bay receiving compassionate care and making new friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved Bill; cherished grandson, Aaron, her parents, three infant/pre-school sisters and brother Matt, and sisters Fran, Millie, and Augie.

She is survived by a son, John (Carmen) Cox of Haines City, Florida; daughter, Carolyn (Michael) Hagen of Aitkin, Minnesota; grandchildren, John (Stef), David (Kiti), Doug (Nicki), Kara (Tom); and great-grandchildren, Michael, Nick, Lucas, Ryan, Lindsay, Taylor, Cooper, Libby, and Brady, numerous nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law, Mary, Violet and Delores.

Dorothy’s funeral will be held on Monday February 27, 2017 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Silver Bay at 11:00 AM. Family visitation will begin at 10:15 and a luncheon will follow the funeral. A private burial for Dorothy and Bill will be in the Silver Bay Cemetery in the spring.

Memorials will be directed to St Mary’s Catholic Church and the Alzhiemers Association.