Gloria B. Cox

Gloria Bernardita Cox Obituary

Gloria Bernardita Cox, 87, of Culver City, California died on August 27, 2024. She was born on February 11, 1937 to Irene Rafada Recta and Gregorio Recaido in Gabu, Illocos Norte, Philippines. Due to filing delays, her birth was officially recorded as March 26, 1937. She learned to cook and prepare fresh seafood at a very early age while living with her grandfather who was a fisherman. She and her family experienced significant hardships during the war. She attended the local Catholic school and lived with the nuns for a period of time. Following her graduation from high school at age 16, she immigrated to the United States in December 1953 to join her father in San Diego.

Gloria graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Diego State University and received her nursing degree from Mount St. Mary’s College. She worked at several hospitals in the Los Angeles area. In 1976 she was part of the team that opened the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at California Hospital. She also worked as a NICU nurse for 40 years at Kaiser Permanente caring for vulnerable babies with dedication and skill. She was known as the “nurse who could start an IV on a rock” because of her ability to start IVs on the tiniest of babies. With a reputation of being independent, hardworking and resourceful, she primarily worked the night shift often taking on a double shift to ensure continuity of care when the unit was understaffed.

She attended faithfully St. Augustine’s parish for more than 50 years. She volunteered at St. Augustine School organizing and cooking for fundraisers.

Gloria will be remembered as a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She lovingly cared for her father until his passing and assisted her husband in his business. She cared and provided for her children especially with their serious illnesses. She babysat her grandchildren and hosted parties to celebrate their birthdays. Gloria was known for her excellent culinary skills singlehandedly preparing lavish meals for holiday gatherings and baking numerous cheesecakes for holiday gifts. Her specialties included pork/chicken adobo, chicken long rice noodle soup, dinuguan, and pork hocks soup. She enjoyed swimming and loved spending time at the beach especially in Port Hueneme and Florida.

Gloria is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dr. Lucien Cox; sons from her first marriage Jon Tyau, Jr., Patrick Craig Tyau, and Darryl James Tyau; step-daughters, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brothers and sisters.

Family and friends of Gloria are invited to a viewing at 10 am and a funeral service at Noon on September 21, 2024 at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury located at 4220 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City.