Obituary of Rita Cox

Rita Sullivan Cox Rita Sullivan Cox, 92, of Rome, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2022, at Bethany Gardens Nursing Home of Rome. She was born on July 22, 1929, the youngest of five daughters born to Anthony Sullivan and Helen Lancer of Brooklyn, N.Y. During her early childhood, while her father was a N.Y.C. policeman, the family lived on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. When her father retired, the family moved to Balsam Street in Rome and then to Western Ave, in Albany, N.Y. Rita along with all of her sisters attended and graduated from the College of St. Rose in Albany. She received a Masters degree in Education from the College of St. Rose. Her employment history included secretarial work for Crowley’s Dairy in Albany and teaching in the Rome City School District at Bellamy Elementary School, Clough Elementary School and Rome Free Academy. On November 18, 1972, she was united in marriage to Thomas Cox. Thomas owned and operated Thomas Cox Funeral of Rome and served as Oneida County Corner. Rita was a member of St. Peters Church, College of St. Rose Alumni, St. Peters Altar Rosary Society, Spruce Twigg and New York State Teachers Association. Rita was predeceased by her husband Thomas Cox; four sisters, Sister Marie Anthony Sullivan CSJ, Marie Sullivan Main, Gertrude E. Sullivan and Catherine Sullivan. She is survived by numerous nephews and their children. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday from 9 to 10 A.M. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peters Church of Rome at 11 A.M. Interment will take place in St. Peters Cemetery.