Obituary of Kyllene H. Cox
Kyllene Helen Cox was born July 31, 1950 in St. Louis, MO to Olive (Philipp) Cox and Ebert D. Cox and died June 21, 2023 at home in Piscataway, NJ. Kyllene also answered to KC and Kelly and was the youngest of seven children.
Her brothers, Rex, Robert, Oliver and James predeceased her as well as her parents and sister, Lorraine. KC is survived by her sister, Dorothy Jean Cox and many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews in MO, IL, WI, ARK, IN, CO, NV, GA, TX and Thailand.
Kyllene at an early age said that she wanted to be a nurse and she never veered from that career path. She graduated from St. Louis University with a BS in Nursing and soon after entered The US Navy and served at naval hospitals in Annapolis, MD, Portsmouth, VA and the Great Lakes, IL from 1972-1982. Kyllene then transferred to the naval reserved and ending her nursing career at the VA Hospital in East Orange, NJ. After retiring she continued to live in Piscataway.
St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Piscataway welcomed KC’s participation in its liturgies and parish events. She started a free blood pressure clinic at the church on Sunday mornings. She chaired an outreach committee whose goal was to match caregivers with people who had expressed particular needs. KC visited homebound seniors also for as long as she was physically able.
Kelly found time to teach a course on medicines at the local Community College and took a course herself in veterinary medicine which she applied in the care of the many cats she adopted. Her backyard became a refuge for other wildlife.
Besides her interest in animals, she enjoyed cooking, baking and hosting parties. Most of all, KC delighted in traveling. One highlight was a trip to Liberia when she was able to combine travel with her nursing skills as part of a medical team.
Kyllene made and kept friends throughout her life, cherishing each although separated by geographical miles. Her life on Fountain Avenue in Piscataway was given enhancement by new friends and lovely neighbors. She found this tightknit community a place where she could continue to give and receive support, enjoyment and friendship.
