Rita (Tomes) Cox, age 93, of Chicago, Illinois, (born in Dwight) departed her loving family on Jan. 11, 2023. Rita was the beloved wife of Robert Cox, Sr., (d. 2002) and together, they raised seven children in Chicago.
Rita had many talents and spent many years as a bookkeeper for Nu-Dell Plastics, afterward working for the U.S. Census Bureau and freelanced as a chef for several catering companies along her journey. Rita made meals and parties a big production in the Cox household. Rita was very active in her church, was past president of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and finished her college education in her 40s. Other hobbies included singing in a choir and dressing up in various homemade costumes to visit the elderly.
Rita started her life in Nebraska with nine brothers and her parents. She enjoyed 4-H, sewing, gardening and cooking. The only daughter of a Czech banker and farmer, she was proud of her heritage. The Tomes family farms were an annual summer destination for our family. Rita made many trips back to Nebraska for reunions that were attended by hundreds of family members on a regular basis. She was the longest-living member of her immediate family but leaves behind a legacy of branches in her tree.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Louis and Bessie Tomes of Utica. She was predeceased by her nine brothers, Raphael (Bernie), Reynald (Betty), Henry, Lewis, Leo (Elaine), Ernest (Joan), William (Bette), Ben (Willie) and Don (Donna).
She is survived by her children, Kathy (Tom) Chytla, Marge (Mike d. 2017) Pierce, Robert (Una) Cox Jr., Luanne (Rick) Wizer, Janet (Jack) Tusk, Don (Carol) Cox and Steve (Deb) Cox. Rita also had 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and was Aunt Rita to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 22, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services in Schaumburg, Illinois, with interment at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, Niles, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Archdiocese of Chicago, Attn: ACCW Scholarship Fund, 835 North Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611.
