EUNICE KEELING COX (HILL)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EUNICE KEELING COX (HILL) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eunice Keeling Cox (Hill), at the age of 94. With family at her side, she passed away after a brief illness at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg. We mourn her passing and she will be lovingly remembered by her family: daughters, Laurie Boland, (Jim); Kathryn Doszpod, (Daniel); grandchildren, Brodie, Colin; Jade (Matthew), and Dan Jr.; great-grandchildren, Landen and Levi, along with many friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her husband, Willard. Eunice was born at home in a house on Bonner Avenue to her parents, James and Annie Hill on November 15, 1918. She attended Lord Kitchener School, (John Pritchard School), on Henderson Highway and often spoke of riding her own Shetland pony Wee Bonnie Mae to school and back. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in a three year course at the Winnipeg School of Art. There, she trained under the direction of Group of Seven artist, Lemoine Fitzgerald. Graduating in June of 1939, she began her career as a commercial artist/illustrator. She soon found employment as one of four illustrators in the Fashion Department of the Winnipeg store of the Hudson Bay Company. Many of the Bay's fashion illustrations in newspaper ads, flyers and brochures in the 1940s and 1950s were created by her. When first daughter Laurie arrived and then second daughter Kathryn, her career changed from artist to mother and her attention focused to raising them. She did, however, work part-time for a few years from her home in the early 1970s doing illustrations for local department stores. Then with good friend Lois Simms, she offered adult art classes from her home with children's art classes from the basement. Eunice never really retired from art work, creating works at home and for her local church and community center whenever they needed her wonderful skill for their events. While not working or raising her children, Eunice had an active and varied social life, and enjoyed travelling to many different destinations. Her social calendar was regularly filled with everything from lawn bowling, to Highland dancing, cat shows, Tai Chi, going to the opera and other musical events and playing bridge. In addition to being an artist, she was quite musical, learning to play by ear the piano and Hawaiian guitar, and competing for a number of years in the solo vocalist category of the Winnipeg Music Festival. Still, she would find time for volunteering for many organizations and causes. Travelling was also a great pleasure for Eunice and she would recall with great joy all of her adventures. Whether it was taking the train to Winnipeg Beach for weekend dances; or crossing the ocean on the liner the RMS Olympic as a young girl; or relaxing at the Banff Springs Hotel; or touching the moss hanging from the trees in Louisiana, she was thrilled by all of it. Eunice also loved spending time with her grandchildren, playing Barbies, card games, and having tea with them. She was also very happy to be a foster parent for many years through the Foster Parents Plan. Being an avid cat lover she enjoyed the company of many a pampered cat. Involved as a member of Harrow United Church since 1952, she encompassed many roles over the years. She was a member of the UCW, stood on numerous committees including the Christian Education Committee, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School for 26 years. She once said that she was blessed "to see the beauty of the world through the eyes of an artist". And we will always cherish the beauty of our loving memories of her. A very special thank you to the staff at the Victoria General Hospital for the kind and compassionate care they provided to Eunice. A private family service is planned, and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Eunice's name can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2013