Marian "Jeanette" Cox

Marian Jeanette Cox, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and faithful intercessor passed away on August 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Jeanette leaves behind a legacy of faith, generosity, and love for family.

Born on July 5, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to David and Helen Sterner, Jeanette, the youngest of twin girls, along with their older sister, moved multiple times during their childhood. Her family moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, then to Elkhorn, and eventually to San Jose, California during the war. Following the end of the war, they relocated to a dairy farm in Troy, Idaho. It was there that Jeanette learned to bale hay, milk cows, and make meals for the farmhands, developing into the hard-working woman she became.

Jeanette graduated from Moscow High School, attended the University of Idaho where she joined Tri Delta Sorority, and earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career in Potlatch, Idaho, and returned to the University to complete her teaching certificate. It was during this time that she met and married her husband, Lloyd "Bud" Morris Cox. They were married on August 16, 1955.

Jeanette continued her teaching career with four years at Potlatch and one year at Colfax during which they began a family: Bill (1959), Laurie (1960), Jenny (1962), Anna (1963), and Catherine (1965). The family relocated to Corvallis, Oregon in 1963 for Bud's doctoral studies at Oregon State University, and in 1966, they settled in Idaho's Treasure Valley. Jeanette taught for the next 24 years, during which she also spent six summers tutoring children in remedial reading and math. Reading was not only her specialty; it was her passion. She was excellent at it and provided each of her students with individual attention to reach their full potential.

Jeanette's faith was foundational to her. She prayed regularly for her family and cared deeply for her children, sons-in-law, and daughter-in-law, staying deeply involved in their lives. At age 40, she began learning downhill skiing, which also included the challenge of driving five children to Bogus Basin every Saturday for their scheduled lessons before attending her own. Having married an avid outdoorsman, Jeanette, happily joined in camping, and backpacking during the summers. She found great joy in playing cards, board games, stamping, and card making, with her beloved children and grandchildren.

Jeanette and Bud purchased a ranch in Peck, Idaho in 1986. Jeanette, being a voracious gardener, grew a myriad of flowers and vegetables that she sold at the farmer's market in Moscow. They moved to Lewiston in 1997, and after Bud passed away in 2001, Jeanette relocated to Nampa to be closer to her children. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and will be remembered for her prayerful heart, generous spirit, and love for her family.

She is survived by her five children: Bill Cox (and Suzanne) of Bonners Ferry, Laurie Koga of Meridian, Jenny Jones (and Dale) of Nampa, Anna Renn (and Clay) of Nampa, and Catherine Thom (and James) of Corvallis, Oregon, thirteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on September 27, 2025, at the Risen Christ Catholic Community, 11511 W. Lake Hazel Rd., Boise, ID, at 11AM with a lunch reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Risen Christ Catholic Church or Rocky Mountain Easter Seals Goodwill. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com.