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., Dolores was known by her many friends as “Dodie’” lived in Morgan Hill for more than 40 years (1960 to 2002). She was an elementary school teacher at Rucker School in the Gilroy Unified School district from 1961 until retirement 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.
Dolores was a long-term member of several professional and fraternal organizations, including 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.
Dolores 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, Dolores 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 Dodie is free from all sickness and pain.
Dolores is survived by son Tim Cox, daughter-in-law Marcia and their daughters Nicole and Danielle; and daughter Lisa Shanks, son-in-law Louis and their sons Luke and Nathan.
She was preceded in death by ex-husband Robert Cox.
Her remains will be buried at Ely Cemetery in Ely, Minn. A memorial service is scheduled to be held at 2pm Saturday, Nov. 20 at Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.
