In Memoriam: Letty Cox - The Argyle Institute

In Memory of a great woman: Leticia (Letty) Cox, (1930-2018), founder of the Argyle Institute

It is with deep sadness that the Argyle has learned of the passing of our founding member Leticia Artola Cox on June 7th, 2018.

COX, Leticia Artola 1930 – 2018 (Published in Montreal Gazette on June 23, 2018)

In the early hours of Saturday, May 19, 2018, Letty peacefully passed, in her sleep, while in the home of her son, Tony, in the warm climes of Aruba, Netherland Antilles. Loving family surrounded. Beloved wife of the late John Robert Gordon Cox. Devoted mother and mother-in-law of Yvonne (Allen Annett), Tony (Lori Palmer), Sylvia (Robert Duquette) and John (Sylvie Munroe). Adored grandmother of Erin, Alexei, Stephanie, John Andrew, Gordie, Shane and Zara and step-grandmother of Nathan, Jody, and Ashley; and great-grandmother to Sebastien, Ilham, Jackson and Montgomery. Letty’s vitality will continue to inspirit her family and friends in Canada and the Caribbean and beyond. No visitation. Graveside memorial service on Thursday, June 28 at 4 p.m. at the Hill House Cemetery on Brill Road, West Bolton, Quebec (Eastern Townships.)

Below are testimonials from many who knew and admired her:

Tony Cox, Letty’s son

I’m Tony, one of Letty’s children.

To know Mum was to know someone with extraordinary vitality – someone at once fun and serious, at once engaged and reflective, at once challenging and reflective – someone who was always brave. Mum understood people, helped people, often profoundly, and inspired people.

She understood me and helped me to know myself and love myself. She inspired me to want to be better and to do better, to try to be good and to try to do good. She was, and always will be, my hero.

I know that the lives of everyone here, and countless people elsewhere, were strengthened and expanded for knowing her and being known and loved by her.

Joan Keefler, PhD, Westmount QC
Therapist at the Argyle Institute

I attended Letty’s memorial last Thursday. She was buried beside her husband in the peaceful cemetery beside a brook in the small town where she and her husband spent their retirement years. She was surrounded by her four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren from around the world, such a tribute to a woman who nurtured and cherished the central role of family in the many of us whom she taught at the Argyle. The establishment of the Argyle Institute is living memorial to her life.

Janet Shatilla, Kirkland QC
Former Argyle Institute secretary

I worked with Letty and the Argyle Institute for 20 years. I have been very fortunate to have received the wonderful support and encouragement from both Letty and Bob (computer lessons). The long days and hard work Letty put into the Institute and MFT program is what I believe has made the great reputation and success the Argyle Institute enjoys today.

To all Letty’s family, please accept my most sincere condolences.
Rest in Peace Letty.

Carmela Mindel, Westmount QC

I first met Letty in the late 70’s when I was studying Counselling psychology at McGill.
She was my supervisor and eventually my colleague. She was inspirational, kind, warm, generous and full of life and encouragement. She was down to earth and easy to talk to and consult with. I always wanted to emulate her and thought of her as my mentor.

As colleagues I was involved with Letty at the Argyle Institute till the time she retired. Her foresight in creating an Institute for therapy at reduced rates for clients and for teaching graduate students in the field was so important. With her experience in Cuba she set up an Institute that was not linked to any government organization so therapists could be the people most appropriate to run the service. This Institute is still running after 40 years. She implemented the importance of being volunteers and that is still going on. Everyone that I know who knew Letty professionally has been inspired and touched by her.

I still see her kind, open face and her laughter. She was full of life. I think of her as “a life well lived”. I will always remember her and admire her. She leaves a special legacy.

Pat Hardt, Montreal, QC
Retired therapist of the Argyle Institute

When I was a nurse at Concordia Health Services in the 80’s, I attended one of Letty’s case presentations at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I was very impressed with her warmth and laughter and intelligence, and the fact that we shared a Caribbean background.

I immediately thought, I want to do what she’s doing, and I want her to be my therapist!

In 1990, I started the Counselling program at McGill, and Letty was my very first instructor; I still have my note book. My late-in-life educational dream was finally coming true. Many years later, I was fortunate enough to have a rewarding private practice at the Argyle.

I am forever indebted to Letty for her guidance. What a model she was, and what a legacy she leaves. Thank you, Letty.

Andrea McElhone, Montreal QC
Therapist at the Argyle Institute

Letty was the inspiration and driving force behind the Argyle Institute which is still flourishing decades later. As a gifted clinician she helped countless couples and families in distress. As an enthusiastic teacher and leader, she inspired generations of students and colleagues. Her legacy is intact and she is remembered with great love.

A short biography from the time Letty was at Trafalgar School

Letty attended Trafalgar School from 1945-1948 and was a member of Fairley House. In her graduating year, Letty was Head Prefect, Head of Fairley House, Head of the Boarding School and Captain of the second Basketball team.

Letty was named a Trafalgar Scholar & Explorer in 2013 and a Distinguished Alumna in 2015. Her thank-you speech is below.

“Instead of Traf giving an award to me, I should give them an award for all that they contributed, not just to my academic formation, but to how my life unfolded after my experience at the school. It was a life-changing turn of events.”

“I will never forget the first day I set foot in Canada in October 1945, I slept on my bed in the Boarding Section of the school. Little did I know then that Canada was to become my adoptive country. Memories like this remain present in your mind and I still vividly recollect exactly where my father and I stood when Miss Foster (now Dr. Foster) came to greet us (at the bottom of the big stairs leading to the Boarding section of the school). And then she was gone, and I joined the other boarders to start my experience at the school. I have very good memories of my three years at Trafalgar.”

Share This Article