Obituary

Eleanor Mae Layton Cox Knutzen, 96, died Friday, December 11th at Peace St Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, Washington. She was born January 6, 1919 in Bedminster, New Jersey to George R. and Jesse (Dolph) Layton. Eleanor graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, New Jersey, and attended both the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Ryder College. At the end of the Second World War Eleanor met Chester W. Cox, and they were married January 27, 1946 in Bellingham, Washington. To this union were born three children: Cynthia (Jon) Hubner of Anacortes, Washington; Patricia (Lynn) McBride of El Dorado Hills, California; and the Rev. Dr. David E Cox of Norfolk, Nebraska. Her husband Chester died on September 2, 1979. She married Erwin Knutzen on January 7, 1984 in Burlington, Washington. Erwin died in 1994. Eleanor has 9 grandchildren (Ken Fowler; Ian and Michael Hubner; Eddie Benedicto; Kyle, Brian, Steven, Jetta and Tena Cox) and 10 great grandchildren.

Eleanor worked within government accounting positions, retiring from the Mt. Baker National Forest in 1974, and Washington State Employment Security in 1980. After her retirement she enjoyed travel to many locations within and outside of the United States. She loved seeing new worlds, meeting people, and experiencing life.

Eleanor was kind, compassionate and inquisitive; she loved to be with family and others. During her children’s growing up she served as an advisor with the Job’s Daughters Bethel 25 and the Chuckanut Chapter DeMolay in Bellingham. She loved her God, her family, and her church. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Arlington, and Central Lutheran Church in Bellingham.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday, 12/17, and Friday, 12/18, from 9:30-4:00PM at Moles Farewell Tributes at 2465 Lakeway Dr. in Bellingham.

The celebration of Eleanor’s life will be on Saturday, December 19th at Central Lutheran Church, 925 N Forest St, Bellingham, Washington. Visitation is at 10:00AM followed by Worship at 11:00AM with a luncheon to follow.