Mabel M. Cox Hogan

Mabel Martin Cox Hogan, age 84, of Winchester, VA, passed away with family by her side, Thursday, November 23, 2017, at her residence. Mabel was born on April 5, 1933, in Trail, British Columbia, Canada, the daughter of the late Americo and Inez (Decembrini) Martin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Linda, and her grandparents, Nonno Fernando & Nonna Assunta (Profili) Decembrini, her first husband, Billy Ray Cox, and her second husband, William Hogan. Mabel was employed by the Food Services Dept. of Prince William County Public Schools in Virginia and retired after more than 20 years of service. She didn’t stay idle for long, as she returned to PWC Food Services as a Cafeteria Inspector then Data Entry Tech., helping at the beginning of each school year until terminal illness sadly prevented her from returning this fall. On June 6, 1953, this beautiful Italian woman from “The Gulch” in Trail, BC, Canada, married her United States Air Force Fly Boy, Billy Ray Cox, who was stationed at Fairchild AFB, Spokane Field, Washington. They began their nearly 50 years of married life at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Trail, BC, before moving to Winton, California, while stationed at Castle AFB (Bill’s last duty station). They moved a few more times before settling in Virginia outside Washington, D.C.; on Bull Run Mountain in Haymarket, Virginia, in the 1960s where they raised their family and made their home among a community of friends both on the Mountain and through St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church community in Middleburg, VA. Once retired, Bill & Mabel moved to Lake Holiday at The Summit in Cross Junction, VA, where they made more friends. This time they shared together after retirement was to be short lived as Bill passed away in 2002, just shy of 50 years together. Mabel then moved into town where she enjoyed spending many hours and days in her beloved garden. It is here where she continued to grow many of her newly made acquaintances into lifelong friendships through her volunteer work with the Bereavement Group at Sacred Heart, the OSIA (Italian Group), the Sacred Heart Gift Shop; and, of course, her BUNCO friends and Kohl’s Dept. Store (former night shift) co-workers. Years later, Mabel found happiness and companionship again with William “Bill” Hogan through her coffee group from St. Stephen the Martyr. They enjoyed traveling to many places early in their marriage; and, enjoyed many years on the farm together where they put in an ever expanding vegetable garden and many flower beds. Mabel is survived by her two children, Mike Cox and wife Michelle Fox of Harpers Ferry, WV, Kellie Cox-Philyaw and husband Thomas Philyaw of Winchester, VA; five grandchildren, Matthew Philyaw, Brianne Cox, Brandon Cox, Tyler Cox-Philyaw and Kaycee Cox-Philyaw; two great grandchildren, Angela Philyaw and Thomas “Tommy” Philyaw; one brother, Allan Martin of Trail, British Columbia; one sister, Louise Cook of Christina Lake, British Columbia; and many cousins, nieces and nephews all over the world. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM Friday, December 1, 2017, at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 23331 Sam Fred Road, Middleburg, VA, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 2, 2017, with Father Christopher D. Murphy officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens, Manassas, VA. A reception will follow at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church Hall. Many thanks to Father Christopher Murphy, Dr. William Houck, Jr., Shenandoah Oncology, Blue Ridge Hospice, especially Nurse Anna, Care worker Bentura, and many family & friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mabel Martin Cox Hogan may be made to the St. Katherine Drexel Building Fund, c/o St. Stephen the Martyr Church, 23331 Sam Fred Road, Middleburg, VA 20117.

Mabel M. Cox Hogan

April 5, 1933 - November 23, 2017