Obituary
Elizabeth “Liz” Cox (nee Wyner), 88, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2021 at her home in Ft. Myers, where she was in the loving care of her daughter and son-in-law. She is survived by her children and their spouses, James (Nancy), Jeffrey (Leslie) and Elizabeth (Parnes); by her seven beloved grandchildren, Emily, Colleen, Erik, Matt, Nora, Jeff and Molly, who knew her as Grammy; and by Mouse, her cat.
Liz was born in 1932 in Chicago, the daughter of Bernard C. Wyner and Lorette Wyner (nee Malloy). She grew up in Denver and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder before embarking on an adventurous career as a reporter and society editor for the Rocky Mountain News. After marrying, she lived in San Francisco, Springfield, IL, and River Forest, IL. After divorcing, she returned for a time to Denver, then eventually settled in Ft. Myers. In addition to working as a journalist, she held jobs at a Chicago publishing company and the River Forest Public Library, and later worked at women’s clothing boutiques in Ft. Myers, Sanibel and Captiva.
Liz was a lover of art and culture, and a voracious reader who devoured the day’s news and spent hours each night reading mysteries and thrillers. She possessed impeccable taste in clothing, antiques and home furnishings. She seldom passed a homeless person without offering money and apologizing that it couldn’t be more. She insisted on good manners, common decency and fairness in all things — qualities that she spent her adult life attempting to imbue in her children and grandchildren. At Thanksgivings in her later years, she relished the role of family matriarch and queen, marking the occasion by sharing a glass of Glenmorangie single-malt scotch – “Grammy’s apple juice” — with her adult grandchildren.
The family plans a private internment, followed by a joyous toast, many laughs and some tears at Thanksgiving. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make donations in Liz’s memory can do so at:
- ProPublica (public-service journalism) https://donate.propublica.org/give/141278/#!/donation/checkout
- Fair Fight (voting rights) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fair-fight-1
She raised three unique children who went on to live amazing and self-fulfilling lives and who I am honored to call cousins and friends.
My Aunt Liz was loved, and will be missed.
I met her when she welcomed my partner Steve and myself into her home to stay whilst we were over on that side of the coast with Betsy. She was a wonderful hostess, lots of fun and I was delighted to meet the mother of my wonderful Betsy Boo! What a lovely stay we had!!!❤️
Being a very old and close friend of Betsy, I have been up to date on her life over the many years and we have sent each other greetings through her also over the years!
The sky is a little brighter now you are a star shining and sparkling beautifully Liz. ✨✨✨✨✨
Much love to you and all your family and friends and especially my awesome Betsy ✨❤️✨
Liz and Joseffa
Parrot Key