Gwendolyn E. Cox

Gwendolyn E. Cox

OLEAN - Gwendolyn E. Cox, of Olean, passed away unexpectedly on Friday (Oct. 29, 2021) at Buffalo General Hospital.

Born July 25, 1933, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of the late Mitchell and Elnora Stevens Chapman. On March 19, 1956, she married Herbert D. Cox, Sr., who predeceased her on April 26, 2010.

Gwen graduated from Scio High School and began her waitressing career at the age of 16. She first waitressed for the former Modern Diner in Wellsville. She moved to the Olean area, and waitressed for the former Paul's Steakhouse, Holiday Inn, Sambo's Restaurant, and Stephen's Restaurant, which later became the former Westons Restaurant and then Gwen's Family Restaurant, and then for Auggie-Doggie. For the past 36 years, she has waitressed for Friendly's in Olean.

Gwen enjoyed playing bingo, going to the casino, reading, traveling and watching the Game Show Network. She was an avid Buffalo Bills and NASCAR fan. Gwen also enjoyed working at the Daytona International Speedway and Friendly's, while she and her husband wintered in Florida. She loved spending time with her family and cherished family gatherings.

Surviving are her children, Donald (Sherry) Cox of Cuba, Constance (Tim) Lemon of Olean, Roxanne Scull of Portville, Deborah (Jeff) Page of Westons Mills, Mark (Mary) Cox of Lancaster, Christine (Rich) Sosnowski of Portville, Marcene (Tony) Aloi of Westons Mills and Kimberly (Richard Brooks) Ginter of Allegany; a daughter-in-law, Karen Cox of Wellsville; 22 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Duane (Peggy) Chapman of Allentown; her sister, Etta Chapman of Allentown; her sister-in-law, Ann Chapman Fenescey of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved furbaby, Toby-Cat, as well as her Friendly's family and regular customers, who she looked forward to seeing and serving every week.

In addition to her parents and husband, Gwen was predeceased by an infant son, Daniel C. Cox; a son Herbert D. Cox, Jr.; a daughter, Diane L. Pringle; two grandsons, Bradley P. Ginter and Donald A. Cox, Jr; a granddaughter, April R. Clickman; a son-in-law, Peter P. Scull; and two brothers, Leonard "Sonny" Chapman and Dennis "Ferg" Chapman.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. today (Nov. 2, 2021) at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 3, 2021) at the United Pentecostal Church, 1100 Homer St., Olean. Pastor Steven Beattie will officiate. Masks will be required for both the visitation and funeral. Burial will follow in McKean Memorial Park, Lafayette, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kinney Hose Co., PO Box 601, Westons Mills, NY 14788, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.