Nancy Kay (Sorenson) Cox, 85, a lifelong resident of Grayling, went home to the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 31, 2022 in a peaceful environment surrounded by loved ones and clergy. During her life she was a member of both the Danish Lutheran Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
She was born in Grayling on August 23, 1936, to Robert Carl "Bud" and Clara Lottie (Atkinson) Sorenson at the family home on Alger Street which at the time was adjacent to Sorenson's IGA Store. Nancy was a beautiful and cheerful child and as a toddler she would wander into the store to "rearrange and clean items on the shelves". It was from these innocent, humble beginnings that Nancy began a life's work ethic that would span into her early 80's. Nancy truly enjoyed working and staying active.
During her younger and school age years she worked at various jobs around town, some of which were businesses owned by other Sorensons in Grayling. She attended both the Southside School on Madsen Street and the Grayling High School which is now the Grayling Middle School. Nancy graduated from Grayling High School in the Class of 1954. On a blind date in 1954 she met the love of her life William Ackley (Bill) Cox. They were married in Holy Matrimony on February 19, 1955 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grayling. They were married for 52 years before he preceded her in death in 2007. Nancy was a kind, caring and giving woman, a very gentle soul, who loved animals and flowers. She was an excellent mother, cook, nurse, champion and enjoyed raising her family with love in the town she loved so much. She greatly enjoyed socializing and she kept up with family histories and ongoing communications with her neighbors, classmates and many friends over the years.
Nancy cared deeply about her community and some of the ways in which she demonstrated this was by collecting door to door for the American Cancer Society for decades and as an avid supporter of various Humane Societies for many years. She was a very dedicated recycler for years and definitely did her part to help our beautiful Earth. Some of her more notable jobs included working at the Bear Archery Company, the original Black and White Market, The Keyport Clinic and for a number of years she and Bill were the operating managers of the original Grayling Golf Club. She was also an accomplished bartender for many occasions through the years at The Officers Club at Camp Grayling. In 1970 she began working for Dr. Paul Junttila D.D.S. as his office manager. They closed his practice working together as the team they always had been 23 years later. She earned her CNA certification in her late 50's, an accomplishment she was very proud of doing at that age.
In her 60's Nancy was instrumental in helping to remodel, open and operate the new Chief Shoppengon's Inn. She worked there with her good friend Susan as part of "The Blonde Bombers" until it closed permanently in 2001. Her last official employment was in her late 70's being surrounded by antiques and unique knick-knacks which she loved at The Upscale Resale Shoppe that closed in 2017 when she was 81 years old. She lived her remaining years happily enjoying time with her family, visiting her lifelong friends, socializing while going about her errands around Grayling, reading her books and magazines and loving her precious "Paddy" in their quiet home in the woods.
She is survived by her children: William Robert Cox of Cadillac, Joel Benjamin Cox of Traverse City, James David Cox of Grayling, David John (Stacie) Cox of Florida, and Elissa Nancy Cox of Grayling; brothers Norman (Mary) Sorenson of Mount Pleasant and John Sorenson of Benton Harbor. Nancy was blessed with 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, many loving nieces. nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many wonderful, loving close relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Bud and Clara Sorenson, husband Bill Cox, sister Judith Ann Sorenson and special friend Lloyd Crawford.
The family wishes to thank the Munson Care Team Home-care and Hospice team, all medical professionals involved in Nancy's care and comfort and all who sent generous gifts of flowers, cards and loving thoughts during her recent health challenges. Thanks also to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home for their compassion during this time.
A graveside memorial service will be held in Spring of 2022.
For those that wish to remember Nancy by memorial contribution, please consider the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter, the American Cancer Society or the Grayling Legion Women's Auxiliary.
Condolences may be sent to www.sorensonlockwood.com.
Arrangements by Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nancy Kay (Sorenson) Cox, please visit our flower store.
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