Patricia Emison Cox Patricia Emison Cox, who...

Patricia Emison Cox

Patricia Emison Cox, who spent much of her life volunteering and

fund-raising for charity, died Monday in her sleep.

Cox, who died from complications from recent cancer treatments,

was 81.

Cox was born Feb. 2, 1922 in Santa Ana, but lived much of her life

in a Santa Ana Heights home overlooking the Back Bay.

She attended DePauw University in Indiana, where she was a

Homecoming Queen, before transferring to Stanford University, where

she graduated in 1943.

She served as a lieutenant in the Navy in World War II. After

leaving the service, Cox took a job as the recreation director with

the Balboa Bay Club. She was a top-ranked tennis player and

3-handicap golfer.

In 1949, she married Alvin Stewart Cox of Pasadena. Together, they

built a home on three acres near Upper Newport Bay. They raised two

children, Alvin “Buddy” Cox and Marianne Towersey, who won her fourth

Tea Cup Classic golf title in five years in September.

As an ardent environmentalist, Cox involved herself in Friends of

Newport Bay, Defend the Bay, the Newport Conservancy and Sherman

Library & Gardens.

Cox’s diagnosis of breast cancer, in her 50s, didn’t slow her

down. After treatment, she returned to public life as a dedicated

fund-raiser for the Alzheimer’s Assn., YWCA, Children’s Hospital of

Orange County, Bowers Museum and other groups.

“She was so caring and giving to people in need,” Marianne

Towersey said. “She just had so much gratitude for what she was given

in life.”

In addition to her two children, Cox -- who is not related to Rep.

Chris Cox -- also leaves behind seven grandchildren. A celebration of

her life is planned for sometime in April. In lieu of flowers, the

family is asking that donations go to charity.

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