Cox, Dr. Felicity Charlotte 'Ann'
Dr. Felicity Charlotte ‘Ann’ Cox passed peacefully at Errinrung Retirement Home in Thornbury on September 24, 2024 at the age of 89.
Loving mother to John Willett (Edel), Tim Willett (Louise), Jane Jaggs (Jimmy), Paul Willett (Devon) and beloved grandmother to Audrey Willett (Praveen), Ross Willett, Matt Willett (Ivana), Taylor Jaggs and Sarah Jaggs. Ann was predeceased by her partner Vanda Kilpen (2019) and ex-husband David Willett (2022).
Ann was born on May 6, 1935 in St Albans, UK to parents Eileen and Gerald Cox. During WWII, she was evacuated from London to the countryside with thousands of other school children and spent the war years at a boarding school, which as an only child gave her the camaraderie she had always missed. She returned to London at the end of the war and attended St. Albans Girls School where she became inspired to study medicine. She achieved her A levels and attended university in London, where she qualified for Medical School and became a Medical Doctor.
While Ann was a good student, she was also a keen athlete and played lacrosse for her school. She often said that her favourite school days were those in which there was either gym or games to participate in. She maintained this love of physical activity throughout her life and in later years could often be seen walking the Georgian Trail or around Thornbury Harbour with her walking poles in hand and a smile on her face.
Upon her graduation from medical school, Ann met David Willett who shared her dream of emigrating to Canada. She and David were married in 1960 and for their honeymoon travelled by steamship to Canada. Ann finished her Medical Residency in Montreal, after which she and David moved to Niagara Falls where she raised 4 children while maintaining a thriving medical practice. Ann was also active in the volunteer community and was instrumental in creating the first shelter for abused women in Niagara through her work with Niagara Women in Crisis.
After Ann and David divorced, she moved to Toronto and later to Thornbury to be with her partner Vanda and to continue her psychotherapy practice. Ann and Vanda spent a joyous 25 years together skiing, traveling, playing tennis, gardening and singing with the Sweet Adelines chorus.
Following Vanda’s passing in 2019, Ann enjoyed hiking with her friends, practicing Tai Chi, book club meetings, and spending time with family including weekends at the farm in Kimberley, visiting family in Toronto and Campbell River B.C. and going on numerous vacations to visit her grandchildren in Australia.
Ann was a trailblazer in many ways with infectious joie de vivre. She will be greatly missed. Cremation has taken place and family and friends are invited to a celebration of Ann’s life on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:30pm at the Marsh Street Centre, Clarksburg.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
Celebration of Ann's Life at Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg.
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Wednesday, September 25, 2024
As neighbors to Ann & Vanda for many years we saw how much they both enjoyed life together, always busy & very active, and always “on the go”. Both enjoyed life to the fullest and will be greatly missed. Our sincere sympathy to the family. RIP Ann
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Dear Jane Tim, Paul, John And families
My deepest condolences for the loss of your very dear mom who was also such a mentor to me growing up on Corwin. May her soul rest in peace
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
I had the privilege of meeting Ann because I am a friend of her daughter Jane. She was full of life and was so kind. I offer my deepest condolences to her family.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Never able to meet any of the family but it was a pleasure to know Ann, she always had a smile and loved life.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Ann, Vanda, and I were members of the same book club for almost twenty years. When Vanda died, Ann continued her membership; she rarely missed a meeting. Ann often talked about the evacuation from London during WW 2 and how much she had enjoyed boarding school. She always maintained that coming to Canada was the best decision of her life. Ann was cheerful and outgoing. We were all impressed with her remarkable fitness and determination. She will be greatly missed by her fellow book club members. My sincere condolences to her family.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
I am sorry to read of Ann’s passing. I got to know Ann when she lived at a Condominium Corporation that I manage. Always a pleasant person and a pleasure to speak to.
Allan Nolan
Thursday, September 26, 2024
So sorry to hear about Ann. We were such big fans of Ann and Vanda at the Blue Mountains Public Library. They always came in to discuss their latest book club books with staff and brought joy and laughter with them. They are greatly missed. Sending my sincere condolences to her friends and family.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Dear Tim,
Mike and I send all our love and sympathy on the loss of your Mom. She sounds such a joyful person. We would have liked to know her.
Tina and Maike Agrell
Thursday, September 26, 2024
I got to know Ann in the Sweet Adeline’s. She was a wonderful and fun-filled coach! My condolences to her family.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
My condolences to Jane and Jimmy on your loss. She obviously lived a wonderful life and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Friday, September 27, 2024
As a former patient of Ann as my family doctor and later my psychotherapist in Toronto, I’m forever thankful for all involvement and support given to me when dealing with a serious situation in my life and that of my family. As Ann closed her practice in Toronto she said to me: “ Goodbye until our paths cross again”. She mentioned that she would move up North. No location. I moved to Thornbury and attended a Probus meeting where she was the guest speaker. Yes, our paths crossed again. She and Vanda eventually moved also to Far Hills and we became neighbours. I have many great memories having afternoon Tea, dinners and lively, fun conversations at her place or my unit.
My condolences to all you and wishing you well in the new chapter of life without Ann.
Friday, September 27, 2024
Though I was never fortunate enough to meet Ann, I’ve known Tim and Louise for most of my life.
I know how very close Tim was to his mom, so an abyss of sadness has now presented itself. The family will get through this tragic loss. It will, of course, take time but I have no doubt. And there will ALWAYS be cherished memories.
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Ann was a lovely, lively character in town. She was always cheery and ready for a chat. May she rest in peace
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Our heartfelt sympathies to all of Ann’s family. Ann was always so outgoing and like Vanda, she loved adventure, they shared many of those. I am missing our Sunday afternoon facetime calls, it was a joy to speak to her every week. Rest in peace Ann x