Kathryn Marie Cox, 83, of Colton, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at her home with her husband by her side.
She was born Feb. 10, 1940, in Prosser, Wash., to Roy and Adeleide M. Burgess. While living on the farm in Prosser, she developed her love of horses. She would often hop on a horse bareback and head off on an adventure across the fields, loosing track of time, much to the chagrin of her worried mother and amusement of her father. Her family then moved to Pullman where Kathy finished her high school years at Pullman High School (Gladish). She worked in the office her senior year and continued to do so after graduation, a job she enjoyed and one that would set the stage for her later career.
Kathy lived and worked for a brief time in Las Vegas at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site before moving back to Pullman. She married Larry Cox on Aug. 21, 1967. They lived together in Albion before relocating to their farm in Colton where they raised their three children.
While her children were young, Kathy worked from home typing graduate theses for Washington State University and University of Idaho students. Later she transitioned to various secretarial positions for WSU. Her longest tenure was at WSU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering where she enjoyed the challenge of learning new technology and interacting with staff and graduate students until her retirement.
Kathy was an accomplished crafter, she loved to bead, crochet, knit and quilt. Examples of her work can be found all over the Palouse from gifts given to friends, examples in craft stores and even loving care blankets at some of the local nursing homes. She was always willing to teach someone to craft and was a very patient coach. Her favorite job after retirement was working at Needle Nook and Quilt Something in Moscow, where she helped people learn to knit and crochet and caught the quilting bug herself.
Kathy developed many friendships at local nursing homes where she would visit, share a laugh, and play pinochle with the residents. Her infectious laugh and love of people made her a joy to be around. She always had a kind word and a hug for her friends and family. She was a big presence in a small package.
Kathy will be sorely missed. She is survived by her husband Larry; her children Kevin (Sharon), Kris (Thomas) and Shelby (David); her siblings Richard, David and Dorothy; her grandchildren Christopher, Talea, Bailey (Evie), Bryce, Colby (Emilee), Jayden, Justin (Gina) and Chloe; and her great-grandchildren, Kyra, Taylor, Sterling and Vada.
A celebration of life will be held around Kathy’s birthday in February. Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to corbeillfuneralhomes.com.
