Dolores Emelia Ellefsen Cox died Nov. 8, 2004, in Santa Ana
after a long illness due to a genetic form of emphysema.
Dolores Emelia Ellefsen Cox died Nov. 8, 2004, in Santa Ana after a long illness due to a genetic form of emphysema.
Born on Feb. 9, 1922, in Ely, Minn., she was known by her many friends as “Dodie.” She lived in Morgan Hill for more than 40 years (1960 to 2002) and was an elementary school teacher at Rucker School in the Gilroy Unified School district from 1961 until retiring in 1985.
After graduating from Ely Memorial High School in 1940, she attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing and earned her bachelor’s in nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. (June 1945).
Her nursing career began in 1945 as supervisor of the Communal Disease Ward at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, and continued at St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank. She also served as a staff nurse in Wadsworth Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles. She then changed careers from nursing to elementary school teaching.
Mrs. Cox was a long-term member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Gilroy Teachers Association, California Teachers Association and Eastern Star. Her life centered on her church, Morgan Hill Presbyterian. She sang in youth and adult choirs, as well as serving in various roles as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher.
She cultivated many interests in life, but primarily enjoyed being with her many friends. She loved music, reading and reciting poetry, and collecting stamps. In her later years she developed an interest in writing stories about her family, leaving a rich record of family history called “Out of the Attic.” She always tried to see the funny side of life and the humor of a situation. Counting her many blessings, Mrs. Cox always saw the beauty of life about her, often quoting the Roman matron, Cornelia who said, “My children are my jewels.”
The family takes great comfort in knowing that she is free from all sickness and pain.
She is survived by son, Tim Cox; daughter-in-law Marcia and their daughters Nicole and Danielle; daughter, Lisa Shanks; son-in-law Louis and their sons Luke and Nathan.
She was preceded in death by ex-husband Robert Cox.
Burial will take place at Ely Cemetery in Ely, Minn. A memorial service is scheduled for 2pm Saturday, Nov. 20 at Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.
