Patricia L. Cox

Patricia, age 97, of Mason, Michigan, passed away April 14, 2024. She was born to Emmett & Xenia Anderson on June 15, 1926, in Lansing, Michigan.

Raised by her grandparents John & Emma Anderson, in Dewitt MI, where she attended Brown School, where she received many perfect attendance awards.

Upon the remarriage of her father, she moved back to Lansing and attended Pattengill and graduated from Eastern High School class of 1944.  After high school she traveled around the US for 2 years, following her brother Don as he trained to be a bombardier for the US Air Force.  At the conclusion of WWII, she continued her travels, living in San Diego and working at a VA hospital.   In 1949 she returned to Lansing and got a job at J.W. Knapp’s department store, where she would work for 25 years.

At a Halloween dance she met the love of her life, Kenneth F. Cox.  They were married on April 28^th, 1951.

As the years went by, she welcomed 2 children, Karolyn (1952) and Rick (1954).  She settled into the life of mother and housewife and all that being a mom entails: PTA, Girl Scouts, dance lessons, etc.   Mom loved her time with her singing group “The Mothers Singers.”  They entertained at PTA and other events, even performing once a year on local TV show, “The Copper Kettle.”  Sewing also filled her days.

She enjoyed her child-rearing days, or so she said.

Travel was in her blood, and we made a cross country trip to California in 1958 and another trip, we called our “Green Christmas” in 1959 as we traveled to Florida to see the grandparents in New Port Richey.

It would be many years before another major trip.  In 1971 mom and I went on a 21-day whirlwind tour of Europe.   It was a dream come true.

Into all lives some rain must fall, as it did for us.  Mom was a diligent caregiver for 11 years for her beloved husband, Ken.

Mom continued her love for travel with a trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.  She woke up every day excited for the next adventure.  There were also many more trips, both day trips and weeklong bus excursions.

For many years she had a desire to travel through the Panama Canal, as Ken had talked about it often.  So, Jerry and I accompanied her on a 16-day cruise on the Coral Princess.  What a memorable trip.

Her later years were filled with her volunteer work, and her grandsons’ activities.   Never missed a basketball or soccer game!

She enjoyed living at Great Lakes Christian Homes, as she had many friends there.

As time progressed and she needed more care, she moved to Green Acres in Mason, where the staff loved her and took excellent care of her to the end.

We will miss her potato salad and snickerdoodles!

One of mom’s favorite adages was, “There are better days ahead….”

She is survived by her children, Karolyn (Jerry) Sairls and Rick (Kim) Cox; grandchildren, Kristi (Vern) Elliott, Jason (Rosanna) Sairls, Kenny (Jessica) Cox, and Kevin (Chloe) Cox; and great-grandchildren, Lukas, Kora Jean, Jett and Cade Cox.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, 2121 N. Cedar St., Holt. Interment will follow in Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing. Her family will receive relatives and friends from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Ingham County Animal Shelter, or to Potter Park Zoo.