Diane Cox passed away on March 13, 2023 in Eureka, with her loving husband, Ed Cox II, and supportive family at her side.

To Diane, family was the most important thing in her life. She was born on June 8, 1947, to Mildred Olivia Dahl and Lawrence Murray Weeks. She always felt fortunate that she was able to spend special times with her Grampie and Grammie Dahl and enjoyed sharing funny stories about them with her friends.

Diane was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always made time for her family. Becoming a grandma — or “Bamma,” as most of her grandchildren called her — was what Diane looked forward to, and she always found time to babysit for her grandchildren and, as they grew older, many hours were spent visiting and traveling with them.

Diane attended Alice Birney Elementary School, Jacobs Junior High School, and graduated from Eureka High School in the Class of 1965. In her sophomore year, she met the “Love of her Life,” Ed Cox II, and they remained sweethearts for 58 years.

Diane especially loved working with young children and for several years she provided daycare for many youngsters. In 1985, while her youngest children were in attendance at Freshwater School, she was invited to be a volunteer helper at the school. She quickly became known as Freshwater’s “Super Helper!” To the kindergartners, first graders, and their teachers, she was called their “Superhero!” At that time, you might walk into a kindergarten or first-grade classroom and see a child curled up in Diane’s arms, sound asleep, while she was helping a group of four other children with reading, writing or math. The students loved to tell her stories because they knew she would listen very intently to them and throw up her hands in laughter or share priceless words of advice.

Many generations of students spent their early years with Diane and loved her so much that they would return to Freshwater to be able to visit with her. She knew them all by name and kept in contact with them following her retirement. Many were the times that former Freshwater students would go by her house to let her know what they were presently doing or ask for her wise words of wisdom, and she would always take time to sit down with them; listen, discuss, and help them solve problems. She was another “Mom” to many of them and they will always remember her for her kindness, love, and humorous spirit which was shared with everyone. The Staff and Students of Freshwater School adored and respected their “Super Helper” and will miss all the lessons learned from her, as well as the many laughs they had together, her beautiful smile, and her very warm and loving hugs.

Diane’s grandchildren, and any other children that visited her at the Freese Avenue house, will remember right where her candy drawer could be found, filled with full sized candy bars all year round. Halloween brought great numbers to her house because everyone knew that she would be giving out the big candy bars. At Grandma’s house, you always snuggled and received hugs; could eat cake for breakfast; used your best manners; watched her favorite TV shows with her such as Oprah, Ellen, Rachael Ray and soap operas; and learned what “Uff da” meant.

One thing Diane did every year, until his death, was to take her lifelong high school friend, “Special Dave,” for a hamburger and milkshake at the Fresh Freeze on his birthday. She was truly Dave’s best friend and she looked forward to making him smile when she drove up to get him and he would be standing outside waiting for her. The talking began and didn’t end until she dropped him off and he would ask if she would be there again next year. She always said “yes,” and followed through on that promise.

Diane was the beloved wife of Ed Cox II and daughter-in-law of Charlotte and Edward L. Cox. She is survived by her children: Eddie Cox, Randy Cox (Melinda), Zach Cox, Nick Cox and Joe Cox and was preceded in death by her beloved son, Danial Cox.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Doug and Danny, and her sister, Donna.

Diane was adored by her grandchildren: Amber Cox, Emily Christman, Ashley Cox, Amber Cox, Danny Cox, Kylie Cox, Alex Cox, Nathan Carroll, Chloe Cox, Vivianna Cox, Elias Cox, and her great-grandchildren, Camryn Jacobson, Abel Tilly, and Brinley Lynn Tilly.

She is survived by her brothers, Darrell and Forest, brother-in-law, Dave Cox and his wife, Marilyn, and their family, and sister-in-law, Lana Griffith, and her family.

The family extends its appreciation to St. Joseph Hospital and nurses, Jennifer Beckstead-Chavez and Felicia Goodman, as well as many other nurses who were so kind and helpful.

A family burial service took place at Ocean View Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Eureka Elk’s Lodge, 445 Herrick Road, Eureka, on Saturday, June 3, from 2-5 p.m. Please be prepared to carpool as parking will be limited.

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