Mavis Twomey Cox

Mavis Twomey Cox, a lifelong resident of Shawsheen Village in Andover, MA and Great Boar's Head in Hampton Beach, NH, passed away on Sunday, November 11 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 8, 1928 in Andover, MA to Jeremiah J. and Hilda (North) Twomey. Mavis was educated in the Andover public schools, graduated from Abbott Academy in 1946, and received a secretarial degree from the Katherine Gibbs School. She was an active parishioner of St. Augustine's Church in Andover and a member of the Catholic Daughters. Mavis was employed for 40 years as a secretary in the Andover Public School System. For the first 25 years she worked for the Assistant Superintendent and in the Personnel office. After retiring in 1993, Mavis worked for 15 years for the principal of South School, Dr. Eileen Woods, and enjoyed close friendships with co-workers and being surrounded by children. In 1997 she was recognized by the Boston Globe as an "Unsung Community Hero" for her commitment to education and her enthusiasm and dedication in helping children. Family was the center of Mavis' life. She was actively involved in the education and extracurricular activities of her children and grandchildren and was very proud of their accomplishments. All of her children received college degrees. Mavis spent many happy summers relaxing at Hampton Beach, and her hobbies included gardening, reading mystery novels, and knitting sweaters for her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling and visiting with family members in Texas, Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, and England. Mavis is predeceased by her beloved husband of 49 years, George Cox, Jr., parents, and brother Gerard Twomey. She is survived by her sister Madge and her husband G. Robert Keepin, Jr. of Los Alamos, NM; cousin Daphne Higham of Southampton, England; her six children, including daughter Susan and her husband Gordon Whicher of Andover, MA and Houston, TX; son George (Joe) III and his wife Mary of Louisville, CO; daughter Lisa of Andover, MA; son Gerald and his wife Cynthia Lemere of Needham, MA; daughter Sara and her husband Jonathan Faulkner of Homer, Alaska; son Michael and his wife Lakshmi of Arlington, MA; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews and their families; and her faithful collie, Molly. A Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. in St. Augustine's Church in Andover, MA. Burial will follow in the Spring Grove Cemetery, also in Andover, MA. Family and friends may call on Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 4 to 8 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to: Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA., 01843. to send online condolences or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.

Mavis Twomey Cox

November 11, 2007