Janet Lee Cox

Janet Lee Flint Cox passed away on Friday, February 10, 2017 surrounded by her many loved ones. Music, singing, tears, and laughter helped her transition peacefully as she joined loved ones who passed before her. Janet was born July 25th, 1937 in the small eastern Colorado town of Fort Morgan. She graduated from Colorado State College in Greeley and began a teaching career with her husband James Brock Cox. While in college, she was socially active, a highlight of which saw her chairing a movement to welcome the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority’s first African American member, an act which required a difficult fight at the national sorority level. She held a deep, enduring love of God as well as “family, friends, food, fellowship, and fun.” Music was always a constant part of her life as she enjoyed playing piano, singing alto in numerous church and community choirs, and of course listening to her favorites, especially Neil Diamond, whom she saw live countless times. Jan always loved watching team sports at any level, but nothing could compare to her lifelong love of the Denver Broncos. She loved cheering for the Broncos and always enjoyed gatherings with family and friends to watch and cheer. Throughout the course of her life, she consistently joined organizations in an effort to make a difference, meet good people, accomplish great things, and of course have fun. Those groups benefitting from her membership include League of Women Voters, Red Hat Society, King’s Class at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, Chancel Choir at the First Congregational Church of San Jose, various bowling leagues, and bridge groups. She loved helping children who faced extreme challenges – beginning her career in a Home School Program as a teacher of terminally ill children traveling to her students’ homes and providing an enriching school experience. Then, after taking a 2-decade professional break to raise her four children, she completed her career in the Workability program at Tustin High School, teaching challenged and at-risk youth, serving them both scholastically as well as helping them find employment with local businesses. These kids were the toughest of the tough, and she consistently earned their respect and admiration. She even foster-parented one of the students who had little other choices at the time. She often joked that if she worked in the schools today, she’d be fired, as she was definitely a hugger. She had the rare ability to make incredible bonds with people wherever she lived, which included Fort Morgan CO, Denver CO, Ann Arbor MI, Gurley NB, Monterey CA, Tustin CA, San Jose CA, and San Luis Obispo CA. No matter the age, race, or status in life, Jan saw people as potential true friends. She was preceded in death by her mother Virginia Lee Atkin Flint and her father Edward J. Flint. She is survived by brother Richard Flint (Barbara), her four children Jamie Lee Cox Boucher (Bill), Kelley Sue Cox Burns (Dan), Amy Jo Cox Bebout, Bradley James Cox (Elizabeth), and 9 beautiful grandkids, who were the light of her life: Michael, Paula, Chelsea, Cameron, Lindsay, Justin, Ally, Emily, Audrey, and her beloved dog Abigail Joy. We are beyond grateful to the entire staff at the Manse on Marsh who provided her with such a loving environment and compassionate care in her final years. We would also like to sincerely thank the staff at Central Coast Hospice, especially Dr. Steven Sainsbury, Nurse Colleen Crawford and Chaplain Jayne not only for their incredible health care but also the emotional and spiritual blessings they bestowed allowing her dignity during her final days. We will forever miss her, and yet we will forever carry her with us. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 25, at 2:00pm at the Manse on Marsh, 475 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to San Luis Obispo Central Coast Hospice.

Janet Lee Cox

July 25, 1937 - February 10, 2017