It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Leona Cox (nee Shantz) on Thursday, January 16, 2025, peacefully at Freeport Hospital after a brief illness. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, she will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert, son James (Crystal) Cox of Cambridge, and daughter Lisa (Cox) Gies (Kris) of Guelph. Loving Nanny to Allan and Gordon Cox, and Leanne Gies. She will be sadly missed by her brother Donald Shantz of Kitchener, and aunt Doreen McIntosh of Cambridge. Leona is predeceased by her parents, Cyrus and Mavis Shantz, and brothers Jim and Ted Shantz.
Born in Preston on October 26, 1949, she attended Preston Public School and Preston High School, before graduating from Stratford Teachers College and Wilfrid Laurier University. She spent a career of over 37 years teaching within the Waterloo Region District School Board at Laurentian, Grandview, Avenue Road, and Chalmers Street Public Schools. She taught several grades over the years, but found her heart in special education where she spent the majority of her career. A fearsome leader and advocate for education and her colleagues in this province, she was actively involved in the ETFO and its predecessor, FWTAO. Her retirement years saw her volunteer with Kids Ability, Strong Start, the Bridges, as well as travel with friends and family and make special memories with each of her grandchildren.
A woman of fierce faith, she was an active member of Avenue Road Baptist Church, where she served as a Deacon, chaired boards and committees, and led numerous ministries such as Kids Church, and Vacation Bible School. She was especially fond of her time with her fellow Take-A-Break ladies.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral home visitation.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Leona on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Avenue Road Baptist Church, 465 Avenue Road, Cambridge, Ontario, N1R 5S4, with the Rev. Jeremy Dykman officiating. The family will begin receiving guests at 10:00AM with the service beginning at 11:00AM. Family and friends are welcome to gather in the church gymnasium following the service to share memories and refreshments. A private interment will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avenue Road Baptist Church, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Kids Ability of Waterloo Region.
Special thanks to the staff of the palliative care unit at Freeport Hospital for their wonderful care.