Reitta K. Cox
Died: December 4, 2018 | Place: People Care Oak Crossing, London
Obituary
COX, Reitta K…
Reitta K. (nee Ellis) Cox (99) at PeopleCare Oakcrossing, London, Ontario. Surrounded in spirit and in truth by the love and support of many family members, friends and loved ones. Predeceased by her husband, Reverend George Cox (2011) who was the love of her life for 68 years; by her son Sterling Victor Cox (1997) (Margaret); and by her siblings Sterling, Frances and Murray; Mother of Katheleen Ellis (Kathryn Forester). Grandmother of Richard Cox (Siân) and Suzanne Uren. Great-grandmother of Zachary, Emma and Luke Cox, and Timothy and Jonathan Uren. She was also beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Reitta graduated from Essex Ontario District High School, was very active in her church and a Brownie Leader before entering the Salvation Army Theological College in Toronto. She graduated in 1941 and after serving churches in Wingham and Dunnville she married Captain George Cox in 1943. Together they ministered in Listowel, Brockville, Toronto and Cobourg before leaving for South Africa in 1949 with their 2 children to do missionary work. In Johannesburg she was in charge of a young men’s hostel and also worked as the Salvation Army’s court worker assisting women attending the courts (many of them sex workers with alcohol and addiction issues) and finding them shelter and employment. In Cape Town she actively participated in and supported all aspects of the ministerial requirements of the churches served by her husband. She also worked with child welfare services. After 20 years Reitta returned to Canada with her family and continued to support her husband in several pastorates. Living in Essex in retirement she remained active in church work.
Music was always a great part of her life and she formed Ladies Vocal Trios whenever possible. At Corunna United Church an LP record was made, selling hundreds of copies (all proceeds were donated to missionary work). Keeping in touch with family and friends was very important to her and writing letters was a pleasure. After George’s death she remained active at PeopleCare, participating in residents’ councils and committees until failing health required her to curtail her involvements. She and George were among the first residents of PeopleCare and during her years there she befriended many of the staff and residents regaling them with stories about life in South Africa and providing a wise and loving “listening ear.” Appreciation is expressed to the wonderful staff of PeopleCare for their thoughtful care of both George and Reitta in their final years.
Memorial donations can be sent to Colborne Street United Church, Essex United Church, 53 Talbot Street South, Essex, ON N8M 1B1 or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be held from 1-2 pm at Colborne Street United Church, 711 Colborne Street, London, ON on Saturday, December 15, 2018 where the funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Interment to take place on December 17, 2018 at 11 am in Greenhill Cemetery, Kingsville, Ontario. Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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We celebrate the life of this amazing woman. We are grateful that she is no longer suffering.
Reitta was my dad’s baby sister and she was married to my mom’s brother, George. Because they were in S. Africa for 20 years, we knew them mostly via conversations with our parents, pictures, and letters during our childhoods. We knew our parents loved them deeply. Recent years have provided opportunities to spend time with her, hear her personal stories and experience her humour, wit, and her love and concern for us. She was a very special woman in many ways. She courageously and gracefully adjusted to the many challenges and losses which life brought her way.
She would like to have had a Monarch butterfly released as part of her funeral because she saw in the metamorphosis of that beautiful creature, an analogy with her own unfolding into a new and deeper experience of Love.
She is the last of her generation in our family. We will miss her deeply.
We think prayerfully of her daughter, Katheleen, and the familly of her son, Sterling. May they be comforted by the Spirit of Peace and Grace, and by friends and family, and the knowledge that Reitta’s loving influence in their lives will never end.
Sending my sympathies to you, Katheleen and Kathryn, in this time of your loss. It sounds like your mom’s life was full of service to community wherever she went, and to her final days. She made our world a better place. Now she joins your dad once again. Sending you and them love and light.
My sincere condolences on the loss of your mum. May she live in your memory for ever
My sincere condolences on the passing of a very special, caring and kind lady.
I was a good friend of hers for many years, and spent some great times with her while she was in People Care. Her enthusiasm for life never ceased to amaze me. However although I feel sadness at her demise I’m also happy for her that she has finally found the peace she wanted. Blessings to you all.
Gail and I have many memories of Reitta and George from spending summer time in Essex. Our families go back a long time. May your memories comfort you and the legacy Reitta leaves behind be a source of inspiration for many years to come.
Peace and blessings to all of you.
Our condolences to you Kathleen and Sterling’s family along with all those mourning Reitta’s loss. We will miss knowing she was always there with prayers and good wishes. Blessings
When my father who was a childhood friend of George was in People Care my brother and I experienced Reitta’s kindness and loved to visit with her during coffee hour on Sundays. She was an interesting and truly lovely lady .
My sincere condolences to you and your family, Katheleen. I am very sorry for your loss. May you draw strength and comfort from each other at this sad time.
We are so very sorry for your loss Rick, Sian, Emma and Luke. Reitta’s obituary is a wonderful tribute to a beautiful and generous spirit. May your memories of Reitta and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead. Luv from Julie, Michelle and Matt
Kathleen, my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother, Reitta. It was a privilege to know and care for both your parents when I worked at peopleCare. Reitta was a woman of great faith who always had a kind word for everyone she met. Free from her suffering and united with her beloved George, may she now rest in the arms of her loving savior.
Katheleen & family,
Sending you our sincere sympathy on your Mother’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this most difficult time.
Our aunt Reitta Cox was our mother Frances’ younger sister. They had two older brothers, Sterling and Murray. We were so happy when our mom and aunt Reitta came to reside together at peopleCare Oakcrossing for a couple of years after they had been apart for a long time. It gave us great joy to see the two of them together, holding hands and discussing events from their earlier years. We knew these precious times would come to an end, as they did when mom went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2016 in her 100th year. Although our visits with aunt Reitta have come to an end, we are comforted to see her released from her pain and we are assured that she is celebrating this Christmas in the presence of our Saviour Jesus Christ. We appreciate that we are able to continue to utilize the spiritual/musical gifts that have been passed down to us from the Ellis family and to treasure this inheritance we have received.
From the families of her nieces, Joyce Hawkins, Marilyn Shrable, Barbara Krogman and Eileen Banville
I will miss you aunt reitta