Ruth Cox

Ruth Cox passed away on April 4, 2017, at peace with no anguish or pain. She lived 90 years, three weeks short of her 91st birthday. She was married to Richard G. Cox on June 3, 1945, at St Elizabeth Church, Altadena, CA. She had two children: Eugene Paul Cox, born April 28, 1946, who died of Leukemia, November 24, 1991,and Rebecca (Becky) Eileen Cox Trujillo born March 29, 1947.

Her father was Harry W. Leisenring and mother Mary (Mae) Hughes Leisenring.  Ruth had seven brothers and sisters. Walter died shortly after birth and Patricia died at six months when her bassinet caught fire. Anna Mae Leisenring McCoy, Harry Paul Leisenring, Geraldine Ann Leisenring Gutierrez, Frances Joseph Xavier Leisenring and Jeanne Mae Leisenring Lovett Harris all preceded Ruth in death.

She had six grandchildren: Scot Twining, Kim Twining Wachtel, Candice Cox Whitaker, Jordan Cox, Jenni Lynn Cox Goodlin, and Danae Cox. Two grandchildren preceded her in death: Darren Cox and Carrisa Cox. She had six greatgrandchildren and a total of 31 nieces and nephews when they were all alive.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 21, 2017, 9:00 a.m., at Shrine of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 11509 Indian School Rd. NE in Albuquerque. Rosary Service begins at 8:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Graveside Services will be held on May 5, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., at Historic Union Cemetery,730 East Potomac Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307; in Haven area, Block 1271, Lot F.

April 15, 2017

To the Family and Friends of Ruth Cox,

Yesterday, as I was desperately trying to write a letter to all of you about my mother, Ruth Cox. I could not seem to say what I wanted to say. So, I went to bed last night and prayed that Our Lord would give me inspiration. When I got up this morning and was straightening out my mother’s papers, I found an unsent letter that she wrote to you on July 13, 2013. This was three weeks after she moved into Woodmark Assisted Living here in Albuquerque. Below is a typed copy of that letter.

Last Letter to Family and Friends Everywhere   by Ruth C. Cox, July 13, 2013

Dear Family and Friends Everywhere,

As you might know, I am living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the past year, I’ve had several serious falls. The last one of them was outside the kitchen door to the cement floor in the garage…Boy did that hurt! Thankfully, I could get up; bellowed, stamping all four feet. I could not be by myself!

As for Becky and LeRoy and many others, it became their concern and I had to consider what was best for me and all of you dear people. The decision came from family, doctor, friends, and daily prayer that I move here.  So, here I am at the Woodmark Uptown, a Senior Lifestyle Community, at Room number 402.

Heavens to Betsie why am I here, feeling alone when I came from so many miles away?  On April 26, 1926, I was allowed as a 4 ½ pound baby, to come into a world where many things seemed much bigger.

It’s true that my family was small in stature, hard headed, determined personalities that were all different. But, we were taught to face life as it is; determined by a higher source, who knew His ultimate desire for us.

My mother (Mae Leisenring) was a petite 5 feet 2 inch tall dainty female, who I think of many times a day and want to be as she was in life. In a world where she was surrounded by taller people, seemingly stronger people and the only girl with four older brothers and of course her Dad, she stood tall.

My mother’s father was the boss of the family and the boss of the family business that was in the tiny town of Hoboken, New Jersey, maybe 13 to 14 city blocks square.  The business was to deliver ice for ice boxes and coal to homes and businesses during the fall, winter and sometimes spring of the year that continued into late April.

Their house was three narrow floors. The first step down floor was the dining, kitchen area, pantry, and covered tubs, where I took many baths after visiting and playing outside on the dirty front concrete steps into what was known as the Second Floor Company’s Entrance.

On the first floor, there was a corner next to the dining area, with a closet for work clothes for their business. Outside of the closet was a storage area for work things. It had a big big desk or as it seemed to me, where the family business work was done and items were kept. Most interesting to me were several wooden chairs that were not occupied for workers. I went round and round until someone said “Stop that”.

In the dining area the most interesting thing to me was a China Cabinet which contained only dishes that were to be passed on from Grandma (Grandma Hughes, Mae’s mother). That is when I felt the worth of beautiful china and special dishware. It is something I now miss looking at daily at my home in Cuyama, as it was where we gathered at the table and the fact that so many people are now gone.

Perhaps you have your own idea of what this place (the Woodmark) might be like and actually function. It is beautiful and comfortable with beautiful decorations and a chance to meet other people, families coming to visit, seeing young people visiting and having meals with those who now live here for a variety of reasons. Some people like me, want to be close to family but far enough away so our family can enjoy their retirement like Richard and I did.

For those days and many good times that we had with all of you, I thank you and relive those times, both the good and bad, because you and yours will always be special memories for me. Hopefully, I can make at least one more trip back home to complete this change. You are always welcome to stop by here anytime that you can. Maybe you can come by because I am allowed to have guests in the dining room.

With love and thanks for all the memories,

Ruth

Ruth Cox, a Beauty Born in Brooklyn

by Becky Cox Trujillo

Ruth was born April 26, 1926 in Brooklyn, NY, the seventh child of eight children. Her father was a shoe pattern maker and her mother was CEO of their household. Ruth’s favorite treat was to go to Madison Square Garden with her dad to see Joe Lewis fight.

Ruth, her two sisters, mother, brother and niece moved to Pasadena, CA in 1941. They were driven by a chauffeur who got them there in 2 ½ days. Ruth went to Pasadena City College and walked in competition for Rose Parade Queen, but did not win. She married Richard (Red) Cox, a 6 ft. 196 pound marine who weighed twice as much as Ruth (Shorty). He was a fist fighting entrepreneurial patriot and Ruth was his pride and joy.

Richard had lived in Cuyama until he went into the Marines in 1941. He promised his brother, Kelly that after the war they would come back and build a grocery store for the fast growing community. Richard and Ruth married on June 3, 1945. They resided in Bakersfield and had baby Gene in 1946. That year, they moved to Cuyama and together with Kelly’s family, built the C&H Market. Becky arrived in 1947.

The combination of Richard’s dream big and go for it mentality and Ruth’s pragmatism and ability to live on a lean income, became the basis for their success and respect by the Cuyama Valley Community. While Richard ran the C&H Market and Hardware Store, Ruth volunteered for many organizations.  She was given a Lifetime Membership to Cuyama PTA, a Lifetime membership to American Legion Auxiliary; she was a Board Member of Cuyama Valley High School Scholarship Committee, Lifetime Member of the 2nd Marine Division, Lifetime Charter Member of National WWII Memorial, and Contributor to Restructuring of the Statue of Liberty. She cared for both Richard’s and her fathers, opened their home to numerous nieces and nephews for summer stays and hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for both sides of the family.

When her children Gene and Becky went off to college, Ruth took over the management of the C&H Hardware store. She was miraculous at customer service and management of the inventory. She found her gift and became a vital business partner to Richard.

Ruth’s inner life was so rich, she never desired to travel. Her joy was in serving others and giving everything she can in time, talent and treasure. I am absolutely sure she will live in eternity and renew her love of those who have preceded her in death. She had 2 children; Gene passed away at 45 years old from leukemia. She had 8 grandchildren; Darren and Carrisa died in their early twenties. Her remaining six grandchildren and six great grandchildren and one daughter all love her and are grateful that they have her as the role model she is. We are all aspire to be like her..