Alice Marie Cox's Obituary
Alice Marie Cox - Lakeside, CA
Alice Marie Cox (Borlin) was born on May 18th, 1938 in San Diego, CA to Marcus William Borlin and Mary Laura “Marie” Borlin (Bailey). She graduated from Rosary High School in 1956 and attended Catholic University in Washington D.C. until 1958. While in Washington D.C. she worked as a file clerk for the FBI.
As a young woman she volunteered at USO events in San Diego with her mother. At a USO dance she met her future husband, Richard L. Cox, Jr. (deceased), a sailor from Missouri. They married in October 1958, and established homes in Lemon Grove, CA and Lakeside, CA. They had 6 children together and divorced in December 1975.
Alice resumed her college education and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of San Diego in 1979. She worked at several biomedical research facilities in San Diego, including the Salk Institute, The Scripps Research Institute, and IDEC Pharmaceuticals (now Biogen). While at IDEC she assisted in monoclonal antibody research that led to the development of drugs to treat cancer and other medical conditions.
Alice was a lifelong active Catholic who participated in music and other ministries at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Lemon Grove, CA, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Lakeside, CA.
She loved animals, and established Rasenhof Kennels in the1960’s. For over 50 years she bred, trained, and showed her favorite dog breed, the German Shepherd, alongside a few other breeds. She earned titles on her dogs as she developed many friendships through her involvement with the San Diego German Shepherd, Sheepherding, and Obedience Clubs. She also bred Siamese and Balinese cats. She had horses, participated in local horse shows, and was a member of the Lakeside Frontier Riders.
Alice had a great sense of adventure and enjoyed trying new things such as sailing, fencing, and softball. She set a life goal to visit all 50 states, which she completed with a recent trip to the South. Alice loved playing board and card games, and was difficult to beat at cribbage. In her later years she enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in their activities, including various sports, music, dance, theater, and robotics.
After more than a year fighting pancreatic cancer, Alice spent her final hours at home surrounded by family and friends. She passed on January 9th, 2023.
Alice is survived by five of her children, Steven (Irma), Anna (Kevin), Kathleen (Joe), David, and Edward (Claudia), by eight grandchildren, and her brother Eugene. Alice is predeceased by her parents, Marcus and Marie, and her daughter Dorothy.
She wasn’t rich, but she lived an enriched life that she shared with her family and friends. She will be missed.
Services will be on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 13208 Lakeshore Drive, Lakeside CA 92040.
At 10:30 am there will be Rosary Service, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am.
A reception will be in the Church Hall immediately after the Mass.
A Burial Service will be held at 2:30 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego CA 92102.
Alice wasn’t a fan of somber colors. In her memory, please wear her favorite color, blue.
In lieu of flowers Alice would like donations made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church - Building Fund, or Mama’s Kitchen San Diego (www.mamaskitchen.org)
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