Gloria Cox

Gloria Jean Cox entered into her heavenly rest on Jan. 20, 2021. She was born on Oct. 11, 1926 in Oakland, CA to Abraham and Ruby Kaady. She was the oldest of three children.

During WWII, she met a young sailor from Kansas, Linza Wayne Cox, and they were married on Feb. 24, 1946 at Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA. Gloria and Linza lived in Oakland for a few years and then moved to Castro Valley, where they raised their 3 children and lived in the same house for over 50 years. In 2001 they moved to Ripon.

Gloria was actively involved in her children's lives as they grew up. She served as president of Redwood Elementary School PTA and participated in the parent booster clubs for Castro Valley High School Band and athletics. One of their favorite pastimes as a family was camping at Pinecrest and Lake Tahoe in the summers. After her children were grown, Gloria applied for a position in the cafeteria at Castro Valley High School. She completed vocational training in food services and earned a teaching credential for food services in 1987. She also began working in the catering business and prepared many meals for weddings, funerals and other events at the Orthodox churches in Oakland and Castro Valley. Gloria continued to cater meals into her early 70's until she moved to Ripon. Her love for baking never ceased and she never tired of providing cakes, cookies and banana bread for her family to enjoy. She would bake treats for her great-grandchildren, as well as the neighborhood kids. You could rarely leave her house without eating something, or her sending you home with food.

Gloria loved providing for her family, it brought her such joy. She was proud of her family and loved to be part of her grandchildren and great grandchildren's lives. She lit up whenever she was around them. Gloria loved to crochet many different creations. Her favorite was making blankets for her grandchildren for the arrival of new babies in the family, as well as for gifts. Gloria was thoughtful and generous and was always buying little toys to have on hand for children that visited. She was very social and enjoyed meeting friends for coffee, shopping and meals. She loved having visitors and entertaining friends and family.

Gloria was preceded in death by Linza, her husband of 68 years, and by her two brothers, Robert Kaady and Alfred Kaady. She is survived by her children, Linda Beck (Tom), of Ripon, James Cox (Margie) of Oakdale and Ron Cox (Eileen) of Ripon; 12 grandchildren: Timothy Beck, Katrina Cardinale, Trisha Beck, Jonathan Beck, Sarah Beck Jasper, Lonnie Cox, Daniel Cox, Matthew Cox, Joseph Cox, Jeffrey Cox, Tawny Jones and Trevor Cox and 25 great granchildren.