1932
Catherine
2024
Catherine Helen Cox
September 16, 1932 — April 29, 2024
Prescott Valley
She was born in Chicago to immigrant parents, William Heidecker and Elizabeth (Borner) Heidecker. Catherine was an only child. From an early age, Catherine helped her parents manage their apartment building in Chicago. They moved to Phoenix in 1949, where her father owned and operated the Pioneer Bar. This clearly built an early and deep love of running an independent business, as later in her life she created several businesses of her own.
Catherine married Donald “Keith” Cox” on May 30th, 1953. While raising an ever-growing family, she taught K-2 at Balsz Elementary and Orangedale Elementary in Phoenix, AZ, retiring after 30 years. She and Keith also owned and operated The Green Nugget plant nursery in Apache Junction from the early 80s. After her retirement from teaching, and selling the Pioneer Bar, the couple created Prescott Valley Growers in Prescott Valley, AZ. This business grew to include a wholesale nursery, a retail nursery, and a tree farm and is still thriving today. In fact, she was active in the daily operations of the business until about 6 months prior to her death; all despite dementia starting to show its telltale signs. Her employees always treated her with the utmost respect, and the family is forever grateful.
Catherine is preceded in death by her husband, Keith. They had been married for 69 years at his passing last year in May. She is also predeceased by her youngest son, Jimmy who died suddenly last November at 56 years of age. Jimmy was not only her youngest child, but a partner in their Prescott Valley Growers business. He left no children. Catherine is survived by five (5) remaining children, their spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Donald (Sarah), Bill (Cindy), Alan, Mark (Lisa), and Kathleen Cull (Tim). She is also survived by an ex-daughter-in-law, Dawn Briese, who stayed in touch with the family and often hosted family events in Keith and Catherine’s honor. The family was always grateful for her involvement. Also left behind to mourn her loss are her grandchildren: Donnie, Cheri (Pedro), Ryan (Jessica), Shawn (Lauren), Isaac, Elliot (Julia), Corrine, and Abigail, as well as her great grandchildren: Caitlin, Ella, Cara, Caroline, Julia, Alex, Corbin, Callum, Carson, Kelilah, and Elijah.
For fun, the pair often traveled by motor home often to go fishing. Catherine was always a trooper going along on these trips, although fishing may not have been her choice of relaxation. She was full of energy and in constant motion. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii, and they frequently visited Mexico where they co-owned a retirement home with some of their sons.
Catherine genuinely enjoyed her teaching years, but equally loved being an entrepreneur and business owner. She played piano beautifully and even bought two pianos at one time so that each of her homes had a piano available. At the holidays, you would often find the family singing alongside. She loved keeping her family close. She enjoyed the creative arts as well. She was strong willed which served her well, especially considering she raised six children while working full time when many women were stay-at-home mothers. In some ways, you might call her a renaissance woman.
A viewing with eulogies will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phx, AZ 85018, on Monday, May 6th. A graveside service will be held at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phx, AZ 85003, immediately following the viewing where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and her parents.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Catherine Helen Cox, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Funeral Service
Monday, May 6, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain (no DST) time)
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home
Graveside Service
Monday, May 6, 2024
11:15am - 12:15 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)
Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery
Guestbook
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