Lucrecia Cox

Lucrecia Correa Cox, 89, died peacefully in her sleep the evening of February 18, 2014. She was born in Bogotá, Colombia and came to the United States to attend the University of Houston where she completed her BBA in 1961. Lucrecia was very proud of her association with the University of Houston, not only as an alumnus but also as a staff member. She started working at the M.D. Anderson library at the main campus while a student and later became a full time employee. She remained with the library for over 30 years and purchased a home close to campus so she could walk to work. She particularly enjoyed working in the Periodicals Reading Room and supporting research being done by the faculty in every department. Those whom she assisted became lifelong friends. After retirement, Lucrecia maintained her relationship with UH. She continued her daily walks on campus and continued to use library resources for her research to assist the many groups with which she was associated.
Lucrecia's passions in life were poetry, literature, music, travel, and learning. She traveled throughout Europe to visit art museums and cultural and historical sites. She also traveled as part of tour groups to China, Russia and within the United States. While she enjoyed her trips, it was the people she met during her travels that made the trips so memorable for her and allowed her to gain additional insights and appreciation of the various cultures.
Lucrecia was a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston for 50 years. She volunteered for many years as a greeter and with the book cart. Lucrecia was also a regular participant in the Book Group, but it was the Poetry Group that was her main love. Lucrecia believed that poetry should be heard, not just read. She encouraged all members of the group to read aloud and lead by example, often reading aloud in Spanish for the group the poems written by one of her favorite poets, Pablo Neruda. Some of her closest friendships were established in this group and she treasured the group both for those friendships and also for the conversation and exchange of ideas.
Lucrecia believed in participating in politics and in the civil process and rarely, if ever, missed voting in an election. Following her retirement, she worked at her local precinct on election days. She also remembered fondly the juries she served on and the judges she met. Lucrecia was a lifelong Democrat and believed in the importance of political involvement and debate.
Lucrecia is survived by her three children, Sue, Gigi and Ralph, as well as her many friends that were an important part of her life, both in Houston and throughout the world. She was predeceased by her parents and her three siblings. Lucrecia is also survived by her nieces, nephews and their families in Colombia.
Lucrecia's family and friends would like to extend their thanks to the doctors and medical professionals at Memorial Hermann Hospital TMC, especially the STICU staff and Lucrecia's surgeons, for their care and compassion. It was very important to Lucrecia to be an active participant in her medical care and it was much appreciated that her wishes were considered and respected.
A memorial service celebrating Lucrecia's life will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin St., Houston, on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. A reception at the church will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family and friends of Lucrecia request that donations be made in her memory to: First Unitarian Universalist Church, Attn: Capital Improvement Fund, 5200 Fannin St., Houston, Texas 77004; the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038 (donation information at http://www.supportunicef.org); or The University of Houston, (donation information at https://giving.uh.edu/gift/).