Marion Ruth Cox, age 93, passed away on March 8, 2016 at the Pavilions in Traverse City. Marion was born on November 18, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan, to James and Myrtle (Hoisington) Shepard. She had two sisters, Barbara Vreeland and Madelyn Hyde, and a brother James Shepard. She attended Cooley High School and graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She was offered an internship at the Traverse City State Hospital in Traverse City. It was here that she met Jack Cox and they married on October 11, 1947 in Detroit at the All Saints Episcopal Church. They made their home in Traverse City.
Marion spent her twenty-two year career working in the Social Services Department of the Traverse City State Hospital. She worked in many areas of the hospital with the last five years at the Arnell Ingstrom School for Children. She served on the Boards of the Northwest Michigan Child Guidance Clinic and the Michigan Association for Retarded Children. She enjoyed her co-workers and made friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Marion and Jack had three daughters, Jacque (Ed) Schmitt, Carole (Bill) Dwyer, and Bev (Mike) Gore. Grandchildren include; Chris (Jacqui) McGrew, Doug (Tonya) McGrew, Megan (Lars) Kelto, Adam (Erica) Dwyer, James Dwyer, Zach (Anne) Gore, Danielle Gore, Erin (Nathan) Atterberry and Alex Gore. Marion was very proud of all of her grandchildren and their accomplishments. She was the great-grandmother to ten children. Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Jack in 2010. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Joan Walters and numerous devoted nieces and nephews.
Marion's interests included knitting, music, decorating her home and enjoying many occasions with family at her home on East Bay. It was a rare Christmas that mom didn't make slippers for everyone, sweaters for the kids, or afghans for the teens. She enjoyed bridge games with close friends for many years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church.
We would like to thank the entire staff at the Pavilions, particularly those working the "Dogwood" wing for their compassionate care, professional standards, and the kindness shown our mother.
Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 2 pm at the First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI. The Rev. Dr. Gary Hogue will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed in memory of Marion Cox to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation, 100 Michigan NE, MC004, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Attn: Pediatric Nephrology, Traverse City.
Please feel free to share memories with Marion's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.