Julia Ann “Judy” Coxe, age 102 of Hockessin and formerly of Wilmington and Rehoboth, DE passed away peacefully, with her beloved granddaughter, Karasi Mills, by her side, on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Judy was born and raised in Wilmington, DE and was the daughter of the late Mabel Tomkinson Lattomus and Judge James W. Lattomus. She graduated from P.S. duPont High School in 1941. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Dickinson College in 1944, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Delaware in 1957. She was an award-winning basketball player in high school and college.
Judy worked for Hercules Inc., as a chemist from 1944 to 1950 when she started her family. She then began her long career as a teacher in various roles from 1957 to 1986, retiring from the Brandywine School District.
While in college, Judy joined Zeta Tau Alpha. She was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church, AAUW, the duPont Country Club and the DAR. She enjoyed studying French, and traveled throughout the world, especially loving France as she was a descendant of Elias S. Naudain II of Huguento House of Router.
Judy’s husband of 34 years, Donald H. Coxe, died in 1980. She married George E. Munn in 1998, who passed in 2019. She is survived by her daughter, Donna C. McLean (husband Kent); two granddaughters, Karasi B Mills (husband Matt) and Rebecca L. McLean; and great-grandchildren Beaumont and Audrey Gulledge. She was also preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Bush Coxe.
Words from her granddaughter, Karasi: My Grandma, Judy, was a creative and compassionate teacher, an enthusiastic bridge player, and a patron of Delaware’s arts. She was grateful for the many kind staff members at Cokesbury Village, where she lived for more than 30 years. One of her best qualities was her genuine interest in the people she encountered. She would take time to chat with the many people who lived and worked at Cokesbury to learn about their lives. When I would come visit her, she would introduce everyone to me by name and include an anecdote about that person’s life or relationship to her. She was delighted to have such diverse company, and enjoyed many friendships.
She loved to make people smile, and was known for her quick wit. She had a particular fondness for cat stories. I recently read many letters from her late brother, Bob, who conversed almost exclusively about his naughty cats and his failures to satisfy their particular requirements. My Grandma thought they were hilarious.
She was also a world traveler with her dear friend, Kay, and late husband, George. She explored the Americas, Europe, and Asia and had wonderful stories about many cultures and her various misadventures.
Her memory was intimidating, and she would casually list the names of her students’ family members during her storytelling. As all who knew her can attest, she was an avid reader and was surrounded by stacks of books at all times. She was never content to read just one theme at a time, and would simultaneously read biographies, histories of Europe, historical fiction, and cozy mysteries. She had lived through so many cultural changes in the United States, traveled with such gusto, and read so many books that she could talk on almost any subject and she was endlessly fascinating to me.
In my personal experience with her, she was always kind and supportive as I grew into the world– even though she was terrifying to play the card game Russian Bank with. I delighted in sharing books with her and trying to keep her full of homemade chocolate chip cookies. We started video chatting regularly about 16 years ago, and I was lucky to be able to visit her several times a year. My mother spoke with her daily and they played scrabble in English and French for many years. My sister had epic bouquets of flowers delivered to her monthly, and would share many updates of the adored great-grandchildren. Judy was loved and doted upon even though her family lived many states away. She was one of my dearest friends and while I am gutted to write these remembrances, I am so grateful to have enjoyed her company for many years beyond what I ever dared to hope for.
Grandma was fiercely independent, and I am so grateful for the many people who brought her comfort and treated her with dignity in her last days. They helped her to stay in her home, where she passed peacefully as I read to her from one of her favorite books. I think her parting message is to encourage people to keep learning and exploring the world and history through books. Please think of her the next time you eat fresh mussels (she’d love to have shared them with you) or when you see a naughty cat. We love and miss you, Grandma. (Karasi Mills)
Services and burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Dickinson College, Office of College Advancement, P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013 or Give | Dickinson College
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
