Frances "Fran" Hazel Cox

Frances “Fran” Hazel (Engroff) Cox was called home to the Lord on January 13, 2025. She passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Little Washington, NJ, on August 2,1927, to Kenneth and Laura (Blaine) Engroff, Fran was raised on a small farm with her four sisters, Evelyn, Doris, Shirley, and Lois. Fran’s early adult life was spent in Boonton, NJ, where she married her first love, John Pleva. They ran a business, and over time welcomed two boys into the world, John and Kenneth. After John’s untimely death, Fran continued to live, work and raise the family in Boonton, where eventually, she was blessed with a second chapter of love when she met and married Frederick Cox. They welcomed a third son, Fred, into the family and moved to Neptune, NJ, where they opened an Italian restaurant, Famglia. It was then that they began wintering in Florida; and after a time relocated to Venice, FL, where they opened Freddie’s Italian Restaurant on the Rialto in Venice. They lived and worked in Venice for many years, and in retirement, continued to enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing golf, and preparing great homemade Italian food.

Beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Fran lived a full life. She was an avid reader, with a sharp mind kept sharper by daily cryptoquips, a keen business sense and an interest in real estate. She followed her family on Facebook, collected recipes, and watched the Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Shark Tank daily. She loved going to the Hard Rock casino and spent her 92nd birthday there. Throughout her life, Fran was something of a jock, playing girls softball in high school. She loved to bowl and play golf as an adult, and rode her bike well into her 90’s. When she could no longer ride outside, she rode a stationary bike every day. There were many things she enjoyed doing, but none so much as spending time with family and friends. Her memory will live on in their hearts and minds.

Fran is predeceased by her parents, four sisters, both spouses and two sons, John Pleva and Kenneth Pleva. She leaves her son, Fred (Donna) Cox of Venice, daughter-in-law, Karen Pleva, of Wilmington, NC, six grandchildren, Daniel (Laura) Pleva, Christopher (Donna) Pleva, Catherine, Brian Olsen, Tara (Ron) Spielman, Albert Douglas Honegan; nine great grandchildren, Morgan (Jon) Messina, Jerad (Stephanie) Jones, Haleigh Jones, Dean and Kayla Pleva, Shannon (Tarrant) Schick, Maxwell Spielman, Leo and Nora Lebouteiller, and five great great grandchildren, Nora, Elisia, Silas, Veda, and Robin, along with two nephews Kenneth and Richard Arndt, brother-in-law, Wandell (Kathy) Cox, and many relatives and friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Sheeba Mesghali and her staff for many years of care, the ICU nurse Robert and Dr. Shah at SMH-Venice for their compassionate care in her final days, and Tidewell Hospice for helping to honor her final wish, to be home surrounded by family. A private service will be held by the family at a future date.