Kathleen Cox, RSCJ

Birth: April 30, 1930Profession: July 20, 1967Death: February 12, 2012

Religious of the Sacred Heart Kathleen Cox died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 12, 2012. A committed educator and longtime librarian at St. Aloysius School in Harlem, her life will be celebrated in a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 17, at Sacred Heart Church, 457 West 51st Street. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 16, from 2:00 - 5:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.at Barrett's Funeral Home, 424 W. 51st St. (between 9th & 10th Avenues). Burial will follow at Kenwood Cemetery in Albany.

Sister Cox was born April 30, 1930, in New York City. Her parents, Joseph and Rose Cox, preceded her in death. Sister Cox entered the Society of the Sacred Heart at Kenwood Convent, Albany, on June 5, 1959. She made her first vows in 1962 and final vows July 20, 1967 at the Society of the Sacred Heart’s Motherhouse in Rome. She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Joseph (Joyce) Connors, and her Sacred Heart family.

Sister Kathleen Cox was a teacher passionate about the service of education. She first entered a classroom as teacher in 1963 and was in her fifteenth year as a library assistant at St. Aloysius School in Harlem at the time of her death. Previously, she served as classroom aide at St. Francis St. Lucy Academy in New York. She served twice at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, New Jersey; as second grade teacher, 1985-97, third and fourth grade teacher, 1971-80 and head of the lower school, 1976-80. She taught at Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Washington, DC, 1982-85, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, 1967-71, and Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, 1963-67. She also served at Woldingham School, a Sacred Heart school in England.

Sister Cox is remembered for her sense of humor and her keen memory for details. A friendly person, she stayed in touch with students and their families, leaving behind many happy memories of a dear friend. Religious of the Sacred Heart Dorothy Murray said, “Among the many qualities I admired in Kathleen was her faithfulness to relationships. … Her work through the years honed her into a "relentless" lover of children - especially those at St. Aloysius School in Harlem.”

A graduate of Annunciation School and Father Young High School in Manhattan, Sister Cox earned a bachelor of arts in history from Newton College in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1970.

Comments

Liam O'Neil (not verified)

God Rest Her Soul

Mon, 2012-02-13 11:19

We will miss Sister Kathleen very much.  We take great comfort knowing that she is with God (and Aunt Mavie) in Heaven.  That she went in such a peaceful manner is fitting and a blessing.  With deepest sympathies to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart,   The O'Neil Family.

tmeyerhoff (not verified)

From Joan Gannon, RSCJ

Mon, 2012-02-13 21:20

Kathleen was one of the most authentic people I have ever known.  She treated everyone with the same reverence and, at times, humor.  She was a warm and faithful friend and we will miss her very much.

Mary Schumacher (not verified)

Kathleen Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 01:42

Two things I remember well about Kathleen. She was very caring for Kathy Owens with whom she lived when Kathy was dying from cancer. All her neighbors used to remark how she walked all over Skillman and the Princeton, NJ area.

Pat Peach (not verified)

Kathleen Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 07:30

Our family became acquainted with Kathleen when my daughter was taught by her in 2nd grade at Stuart Country Day School. Kathleen was a wonderful, caring educator with amazing insight and memory. She never forgot a name or special occasion and was genuinely interested in those who knew her.  As the years went by, she simply became a part of our family and we loved her. We feel honored to have known her and will cherish the many, happy memories.

Sara Peach (not verified)

Sister Cox, My 2nd Grade Teacher

Tue, 2012-02-14 07:51

Sister Cox was my second grade teacher, my biggest fan at my ice hockey games, graduation parties, and a member of the family with her yearly trips back to Princeton, NJ the past twenty-something years. She will truly be missed, but the thoughtful letters she sent over the years, and all the photos of her with "her girls" will always put a smile on my face. Rest in Peace Sister Cox.

Cathy O'Conor (not verified)

Sister Kathleen Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 08:20

Kathleen was in the Noviceship and Black Juniorate at the same time I was. I remember her steadfast faith in God's caring for all of us and her sense of humor. She stayed on to become a professed religious. We became reacquanted when she was in Princeton and it was a wonderful renewal of a friendship. The phrase that comes to mind when I think of Kathleen is "steady as she goes". Rest in peace Kathleen, you have served your caring God with great care. Cathy O'Conor

Sheila Hagenhofer (not verified)

Kathleen Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 08:34

Kathleen was a loving and faithful friend  for over 30 years..We taught  together at Stuart Country Day School and  remained in close touch after we both retired. .  I have so many happy memories of her visits , games of scrabble ,. walks around my garden and long talks over cups of tea.She was a loyal unselfish lady with great wisdom and a sense of humor.  I feel fortunate to have had such a good friend and will sadly miss her.

Maureen Little, rscj (not verified)

A little star who light was so bright

Tue, 2012-02-14 10:44

I was with Kathleen at St. Al's in Harlem. Everyday she walked in with a smile, whether rain, snow or sunshine. She was such a gentle soul. We would laugh because 'here were 2 RSCJ in this little school in Harlem. I know Sr. Margaret will miss her dearly. Maureen Little

Barbara Curtis (not verified)

Sister Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 12:37

Sister Cox taught our daughter, Anna in 2nd grade at Stuart. That Christmas we invited her for dinner in a tradtion that lasted for over twenty years. Every Christmas Sister "Kate" would travel to Princeton, walk around town, and get picked up by the Peach family where she would spend the night. Sometimes we ate at the Rusty Scupper, sometimes at our home, or at the Peaches' home. It was such a wonderful Christmas tradition that it is hard to imagine Christmas time without her. Over the years, she atteded Anna's dances, Pat's graduations and numerous parties and events that the two families held. She was planning to attend Sara's wedding this fall. We all thought she would live forever. Sister Cox was a part of our family, a wonderful woman, and we will miss her terribly. Our hearts are broken, but we are honored to have known her.

Rebecca Etz (not verified)

Kathleen Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 13:13

Kathleen Cox was a dear friend and beautiful soul. She taught me as a child, comforted me when I lost my father, and has blessed me with wonderful memories and life long friendship. I got my last letter from her last week and she included in it that she was proud to call me friend. I am humbled and will miss her dearly.

tmeyerhoff (not verified)

From Dorothy Murray, RSCJ

Tue, 2012-02-14 13:31

Among the many qualities I admired in Kathleen was her faithfulness  to relationships.  From the days and work we shared in Newton Academy in the fifties and early sixties, through my frequent visits to Princeton, where she delighted in the growth of my sister's family -  to the many years of our proximity in the "City"(which we both loved) our relationship grew. She was always the same ... although, of course her work through the years had honed her into a "relentless" lover of children, especially those at St. Aloysius School in Harlem. Her life hadmatured the latent gifts within: humor, fidelity, straightforwardness,and what we used to call "single mindedness."I think her love of the Society and of RSCJ's was unreserved.  These qualities were so manifest in her small Community in recent years, where her ability to give of herself was so tested.  May she rest in peace,  confirmed by the loving Heart of God.

lynn churchwell (not verified)

Kathleen Cox

Tue, 2012-02-14 14:28

Sister Cox taught my daughter in 2nd grade at Stuart Country Day School. I will never forget the sincere, loving interest she took in teaching my daughter and her ability to get to the heart of any issue. She was a breath of fresh air amongst the faculty of the time. I was sad when she left Stuart and I am sad she has left this world. My condolences to her family and friends.

Cristina Salmas... (not verified)

Sr. Cox

Fri, 2012-02-17 10:27

Sr. Cox was my second grade teacher at Stuart Country Day School.  As an 8 year old, I was sure to follow everything she said because she scared the pants off of me.  As I got older, my fear dissapated while my admiration grew deeper and deeper. I feel honored to have been her student and to have been in her presence for years after that.  I know she is resting in heaven now, hopefully catching up with my father.

Margaret Denneh... (not verified)

Kathleen, My Friend

Tue, 2012-02-21 17:44

POEM              by Langston Hughes I LOVED MY FRIEND. SHE WENT AWAY FROM ME. THERE'S NOTHING MORE TO SAY. THE POEM ENDS, SOFT AS IT BEGAN -- I LOVED MY FRIEND.

Carol Martino (not verified)

Sr. Kathleen

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:22

Sr. Kathleen was so gentle, welcoming, and compassionate.  She was such a great listener, and made a real, personal connection with everyone she met.  She always put a smile on my face, and I will miss her spirit around St. Aloysius!

Boreta Singleton (not verified)

dearest Sr. Kathleen

Mon, 2012-03-05 15:16

I worked with Kathleen at St. Aloysius in Harlem.  There was never a day that Kathleen didn't ask how I was or would tell me a funny story to make me laugh. What a wonderful woman! I am so happy that  we kept in touch and I had the opportunity to spend a little time with her and Sr. Margaret ( St. Al's librarian) on Feb. 3rd.  I am missing  Kathleen's phone calls and notes, and especially will miss her joy and humor.  I know she is taking good care of her family and friends from her place in heaven!

julia morgan joynt (not verified)

Sr. Kathleen Cox

Sat, 2014-01-25 20:53

I started teaching at Stuart Country Day School in September 1987 having arrived in the States a few days earlier. Kathleen took me under her wing from day one and helped me adjust to living in a new country. I have very fond memories of driving down to Martin House every Thursday in the "nun mobile"! Kathleen is someone who made a huge difference in her time on earth. I will never forget her.