Tiffany Gralapp Cox

**Tiffany Marie Gralapp Cox, 46 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was surrounded by her husband of 15 years (Randy Cox) and parents (Kathy & Craig Kelbel).**

Tiffany was born April 29, 1976 in San Jose, California. Her early years were spent living with her Mom, Aunt Debbie, and Cousin Kandi. She was frequently found at her grandparents’ home, honing her swimming and card playing skills.

These may have been her first bonds, but Tiffany had a way of creating close friendships and treating people like family throughout her life. Whether it be her coworkers or her workout friends, there are refrains that are echoed in the memories of those that have met Tiffany: her kindness, her curiosity, her smile, her laugh, and the way she would light up a room. She had a particular kindness towards children (a repeated donor to Locks of Love) and animals (her dogs and tortoise will miss her greatly).

It comes as no surprise, then, that one of Tiffany’s greatest joys and accomplishments was her son Tyler. She loved being his mom and spending time with him, from game nights to hiking and bowling. She created a home that was welcoming and safe, a place where friends could come by and feel heard.

Tiffany was a lifelong athlete, from the volleyball, swim team, and “I love gym” of her youth to dancing, working out, and hiking as an adult. She also loved to get a party started. If you were at a wedding in her vicinity, you were dragged to the dance floor. If there was a roller coaster on the top of a building, you were racing up there with her.

They say that Tiffany never met a stranger. And if you were in her orbit, neither did you. She couldn’t stand to see anyone left out or unheard, so she created community. This is not to say that she never struggled. But when she did, she put in the hard work to stay on the pathway to healing, showing her strength alongside her kindness.

Tiffany is survived by her husband, son, parents, brothers (John and Dave Kelbel) and sister (Stephanie Hovis), as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many that called her friend/family.

In the short days between her brain cancer diagnoses and leaving this Earth, Tiffany frequently said that she was happy and felt loved. In the spirit of celebrating this remarkable woman we were blessed to know and love, you are invited to join us for a service at **[St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church](https://goo.gl/maps/wxJGHd79eXxZk7jd6) on Friday, September 30th at 11 am.**