Colleen Mary Cox

Colleen Mary Cox, age 70 of St. Paul Park, passed away November 26, 2025 at United Hospital.

Memorial service will be 11:00 am, Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S., Cottage Grove, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Colleen Mary (Madigan) Cox was born April 13, 1955 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Francis and Annabel Madigan. After graduating from Johnson High School in 1973, Colleen took her passion for teaching children and began to make it her career by taking a Pre School Teaching position at the East Side YMCA. She loved working with kids and over the course of 22 years, she developed some lasting relationships.

Among the things she loved were camping, music, singing, road trips and reading books of all kinds. She loved music and wasn't afraid to pick up a karoake microphone and sing her favorite songs. Colleen had a crafty side to her as well. Her homemade and personalized cards will be cherished be so many people through the years. 

Her outgoing personality allowed her to make friends wherever she went. Because she had such a nurturing heart, many people sought her out for advice, hugs or simply a listening ear. She had a passion to stand up on behalf of others in their situation. She became an "adopted" mom and grandma to many. Occasionally, her feisty side came out, which also enabled her to fight through the multiple rounds of health battles that she faced.

Colleen is survived by her daughters Sarah and Andrea; special friend Allen Cox; sister Judy Kavanaugh; brother Mike (Lenora) Madigan; cousins Denny (significant other Sally) Hagen and Ron (Lynn) Hagen as well as many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Annabel Madigan; sister Jackie Birkholz; brother-in-law John Kavanaugh; aunt Elaine Hagen and mother-in-law Nancy Cox.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in the service via livestream, you can watch the service by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click the blue “PLAY" to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having trouble with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.