Barbara J. Cox, 90, formerly of West Windsor, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro, NJ. She is remembered for her vibrant spirit, artistic talent, a strong faith and a deep love for her family.
Barbara was born in Kansas City, Missouri. When she was 11, her family moved to Cleveland Ohio. It was here that Barbara’s journey of creativity began. After her graduation from high school, Barbara married Jim Cox-the love of her life–and began building the foundation of her beloved family. A move to New Jersey marked a new chapter; fostering a loving home for her three children while completing her Art degree, and nurturing her passion for the fine arts. Barbara returned to Ohio for several years when Jim was relocated for work and settled on a small horse farm in Bath Township. It was here that she became a “country girl” — nurturing her growing children, and looking after their horses and a menagerie of dogs and barn cats. A few years later, Barbara and Jim moved back to New Jersey where she spent the remainder of her life.
Barbara was an accomplished watercolorist. Her ability to capture light, figures and movement in her landscapes and seascapes reflected the beauty of God’s creation. Barbara’s work graces homes and offices worldwide. One of her paintings was honored with a place in the White House, a source of pride for both her and her family. As an active member of the NJ Watercolor Society, Barbara’s works were featured in art shows throughout the state and across the country.
Barbara also inspired others through teaching. She shared her love for painting by leading workshops throughout New Jersey. Barbara particularly enjoyed teaching at Cape May where she was a regular on the Elderhostel (now Rhodes Scholar) schedule. Through her teachings, she left an enduring legacy, instilling the joy of creativity in others.
Barbara was also a gifted writer. She loved to write stories about her life, her family, and the world around her. Predeceased by her parents, Earl and Mary Lydia (Gillespie) Bailey; and her husband of 54 years, James E. Cox, Sr.; she is survived by her daughter, Deanna C. Munoz and her husband, Bill, of Plainsboro, NJ; her two sons, James E. Cox, MD, his wife, Martha Lenhart, MD, of Silver Spring, MD, and Douglas Cox and his wife, Deborah Smith, of Hunter, NY; her five grandchildren, William Munoz, JD of Jersey City, James E. Cox, III of Alameda, CA, Julia Munoz of Plainsboro, Joseph Cox of Los Angeles, CA, and Natalie Munoz of Hoboken, NJ.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Brainerd Cemetery in Cranbury, NJ followed by an informal Celebration of Life at 12:30 p.m. at Meadow Lakes, 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting In Memory Of at inmemof.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of A.S. Cole Son & Co., 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.
