Obituary: Anna Marie Cox

Anna Marie Cox, age 85, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024, of natural causes in Great Falls, Mont. She was surrounded by family in her final hours.

Anna was born Dec. 15, 1938, to Armand and Helen Crooks and blessed with one younger sister, Patricia. She was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School in 1957.

Anna married Dennis Baca Sept. 27, 1957, and together they welcomed two children, David and Teri. As a family they spent a lot of time at the racetrack and in the ocean. Anna and Dennis later divorced.

Anna later met the love of her life, Jim Cox. They married on Oct. 14, 1979. With this marriage she gained an additional seven children that she loved and treated as her own.

Throughout the years, Anna worked as a house cleaner as well as a cashier at Lucky Stores. However, her most beloved job was being a mother.

Anna also enjoyed fishing while she lived in California; she even reeled in a sturgeon!

After spending her whole life in California, Anna and Jim retired and moved to Lincoln, Mont. in 1999. After arriving in Lincoln, her and Jim build their home together. While living there, Anna spent most of her time in the yard or with her eyes buried in a book. More times than not, both were happening at the same time. She loved to decorate her outside wagon for every holiday. In 2018 they moved to Great Falls.

Anna was an animal lover and would take in any animal that she could. This came as no surprise as she had a heart of gold. Putting other people's needs before hers was always the case.

Technology was never her strong suit, but she would always give it a try so she could keep up with her family in the many different states.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die"- Thomas Campbell

She is preceded in death by her parents Armand and Helen Crooks, her husband Jim Cox, daughter Teri Baca, and son Joseph Cox.

She is survived by her sister Patty Segelstrom; sons David (Michelle) Baca, Jimmy (Lonette) Cox, Tom (Chandra) Cox, Tim (Mary) Cox; daughters Mary (Joe) Formusa, Kathleen Cox, and SueAnn Schrader; many grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

There will be no services per her wishes.

In leu of flowers, please make a donation to an animal shelter.