Trudy Joan Cox (February 28, 1943-January 25, 2022)

Beloved and Badass, Polymorphous mother of Fanshen and Winston (Laina N. Cox), daughter of Grant Kofford and Lynn Mitchell, loving grandmother to Jaida and Solomon, sister of Celia Amick and Lynda Kofford di Cicco, step mother to Darren and Shaun Cox, and dear aunt to Kelly, Anne, Bonnie, Gina, Guy, Carren, Michelle, mother-in-love of Laina N. Cox and Tasheka Cox, grandmother-in-love to Bryson Cox and Payten Cox, doggy grandmother to Maxwell Smart and Kaepernick.

Trudy grew up in Enterprise and Pendleton, OR. She loved animals, especially horses and was an accomplished actor at Pendleton high school. Trudy attended the University of Oregon for her undergraduate degree where she met and eventually married Winston B. Cox at a time when interracial marriage was still illegal in 16 U.S. states.

Trudy studied nursing at Howard University and Georgetown University and completed a masters degree from Northeastern University. She held the credentials of RN, MN, CNM. She created her own midwifery practice in Cambridge, MA and delivered hundreds of babies while fighting a bigoted, conservative backlash from the medical community of doctors who were threatened by her Woman-centered practices. She was a fierce champion for Women’s health and reproductive rights and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She would want all of us to fight back against the on-going assault on Women’s rights and our collective civil liberties.

Later in life, Trudy became a hospice nurse and brought the same incredible skill and care from her midwifery practice to helping souls peacefully transition at the end of their lives. Trudy loved all people and never met a stranger. Whether teaching midwifery in Zimbabwe in the 1990’s, or holding court in her beloved Central Square in Cambridge, she radiated love and enthusiasm for everyday people. She loved gardening, dark chocolate, and winter mountaineering. She was a voracious reader and student of indigenous and holistic healing arts. There was always a soundtrack to Trudy’s journey with favorites that included Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog, You Can Get It If You Really Want, by Jimmy Cliff, and When I Loved You by the Louvin Brothers. There were also the silly, funny, outlandish - and also often spot-on - sound effects she perfected for moments when words didn’t serve the purpose.

Above everything, Trudy was an unconditionally loving mother and grandmother. She raised Winston and Fanshen on her own while facing constant nemeses in Type 1 diabetes, depression and later, dementia. She made magic with very modest means and made sure that her children had the tools to lead purposeful lives of commitment to Justice for all.

You can find Trudy on a peaceful walk anywhere in the natural world, or at any bustling farmers market, playground or rally for equal rights and justice.

There will be a virtual celebration of life for Trudy on Sunday, February 27, 2:00pm PT/5:00pm EST- 3:30PT/6:30pm EST. Zoom link:
https://ccpcs-org.zoom.us/j/85699929635?pwd=SUFyMTVDWTJweVVTUE96QWxmRnVSQT09

In place of flowers or cards, please consider donating to the American Diabetes Association .