Katherine Adine Cox
In Loving Memory of Katherine Adine Cox:
October 23, 1952 - October 17, 2026
We say goodbye to a woman who lived an extraordinary life, measured in adventures, connections, and love.
Katherine Adine Cox passed peacefully on Saturday morning, October 17, 2026.
Inspired by Linda Ellis' poem The Dash, we are reminded that every life has a beginning date and an ending date. Between them is a dash. A small mark that somehow holds an entire life: the people we love, the lives we touch, the challenges we face, and all the ordinary moments that become extraordinary simply because they were ours.
Katherine's dash was full. She lived it with love, determination, quick wit, and just the right amount of sass.
Katherine's story began in Montana. Raised in Butte alongside her late sister Joan by their parents, Barbara Wilson of Lewistown and Charles Krest Cyr of Missoula, she grew up surrounded by the landscapes that would always be part of her story. She went on to graduate from the University of Montana, marry Phillip Cox, and begin building a family of her own.
Those early years took Katherine and Phillip to Ennis, Montana, where their two daughters, Jennifer and Kate, were born and Katherine began her professional life as an elementary school teacher. But Katherine was never one to believe that life had to follow a single path. With ambition and a willingness to embrace the unknown, she reinvented herself professionally, trading the classroom for a career in information technology. That new chapter carried her from Montana to Phoenix, Arizona, and eventually to Denver, Colorado.
And in Denver, life had another chapter waiting for her.
There she met Sammy Haygood, who would become her partner, companion, and deep love for the next 27 years. Together, Katherine and Sammy continued to embrace new opportunities, building a life that took them to Amarillo, Texas, Raleigh, North Carolina, and eventually back to Denver for retirement. Through every move and every new beginning, they continued to build a life together filled with shared experiences, family, and adventure.
Wherever life took her, Katherine made friends. She was a social butterfly in the truest sense. The kind of person who could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and leave having made a genuine connection. She was generous with her time and her heart, and quick with a clever and energetic remark. She simply loved people, and people loved being around her.
Katherine traveled the world, exploring Russia, India, Australia, and Italy, among many other places, and even spent time living in South America. For her, the joy of travel wasn't simply about the destinations. It was about experiencing something new, meeting people along the way, and discovering just how much more life had to offer. There was always more to see. More to discover. More life to live.
Golf was another of Katherine's great loves. She enjoyed the game, the friendships, and, of course, the thrill of a little competition. Over her lifetime, she celebrated three hole-in-ones. A remarkable feat, and somehow entirely fitting for a woman who had a way of doing things on her own terms.
As president of the Ladies Golf Association at Blackstone Country Club in Colorado, she helped bring women together through golf, friendship, and charitable giving. But Katherine rarely settled for an ordinary gathering when an extraordinary one was possible. There were themes. Costumes. Celebrations. Murder mystery dinner parties. She was always all in.
Katherine believed that giving back could be joyful. That friendships deserved to be celebrated. And that life was simply more interesting with people who were willing to play. Even in her final days, she could be found, like clockwork, giving her Texas Hold'em group a run for their money.
Beneath her vibrant spirit was remarkable strength. Katherine faced more than her share of health challenges, including stage four lung cancer and severe COPD. She fought with the determination of a warrior and through it all, she continued to find moments of connection, playfulness, and joy.
As her COPD became increasingly difficult, Katherine and Sammy made one final move together, this time to Oceanside, California. There, surrounded by new friends and loving care, something beautiful happened. Katherine found her smile again.
Her final months were filled with a renewed sense of joy. A gift to her, and to everyone who loved her. She didn’t lose the fight, she simply ran out of time.
What a beautiful way to spend a dash.
Katherine passed surrounded by her husband Sammy Haygood, daughters Jennifer Cox and Kate Saunders, and stepdaughter Malia Godfrey. Her family is deeply grateful to the compassionate teams at Mission Hospice and Fairwinds – Ivey Ranch for the comfort, dignity, and kindness they provided during her final chapter.
Her dash may be complete, but the love she gave, the friendships she made, and the sparkle of joy she shared through her beautiful greens eyes continues to live in our hearts.
Katherine is survived by her immediate family: husband Sammy Haygood; daughter Jennifer Cox and her spouse Steven Erhardt; daughter Kate Saunders and her spouse Jeff Saunders; stepdaughter Malia Godfrey; and grandchildren Reagan Saunders, Oliver Godfrey, and Matteo Godfrey.
Instead of a memorial service, Katherine will be cremated and her ashes will be spread during a celebration of life in Montana with close family and friends at a future date. Other celebrations of life in other locations will take place, details pending.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Katherine's memory to consider a memorial contribution (checks only) to:
1) Mission Hospice
Mailing Address:
Mission Hospice Services of San Diego, LLC
2365 Northside Drive, Suite 120
San Diego, CA 92108
*Check Memo: Donation
2) Fairwinds – Ivey Ranch, Senior Living
Mailing Address:
Fairwinds – Ivey Ranch
ATTN: Karl Miller
4490 Mesa Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
*Check Memo: Holiday Gratuity Fund for Employees
