Grace Cox

Grace B. Cox, 98, died April 1, 2007 at her Klipsan Beach residence. The daughter of Herman and Elizabeth (English) Stilger, she was born December 5, 1908 in Hardin, Montana. Rhe grew up in Ryegate, Montana and then moved with her family Portland, Oregon. There she completed her education and attended Behnke Business College. On September 19, 1927 she married Lester Cox in Portland. In October of 1944 she and Lester moved to Long Beach. Grace was a telephone operator for the old Ilwaco Telephone Co. for a number of years. She was a long time member of Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church where she was active in the Presbyterian Women's Association and the Monday Circle. Grace was a member and Past Matron of Pacific Chapter Order of Eastern Star and was a mother advisor for Rainbow. A member of Modern Travelers, she was also a charter member of Long Beach Elks lodge and a charter member of the Peninsula Women's Bowling Association. She loved to sew, paint, knit, read and also enjoyed crafts. Grace is survived by daughter Lesley Buhman of Portland, daughter and son-in-law Judith and Edward Elm of Ocean Park; brother William Stilger of Wichita, KS; grandchildren Scott and Dean Slagle, Craig, Curt and Jim Elm, Mark, Chris and Matt Buhman; 17 grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; nieces Linda Holmes and Mary Jo Gallagher; nephews Jeff, Robert and Ken Stilger. She was preceded in death by her husband Lester in 1975, daughter Patricia Slagle in 1999, grandson Bob Slagle in 1990 and grandson Dale Buhman in 2003. Graveside service will be Saturday, April 7, 2007, 11:30 AM at Lone Fir Cemetery, Long Beach. Memorial service follows at 1:00 PM at Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church in Seaview with a reception following. Memorials may be made to either Harbors Home Health & Hospice or Golden Sands Wellness Center in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631