Lucy Patterson Cox, of West Tisbury, died peacefully on June 20, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 69.

Born in Princeton, N.J., Lucy was the third child of the late Henry S. Patterson II and the late Suzanne Virden Patterson of Princeton, N.J. and West Tisbury.

She attended Stuart Country Day School, Mary C. Wheeler and St. Mark’s School. She graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications.

Her love for Martha’s Vineyard began at a young age, when her mother brought her to the Island at two weeks old to spend time together in a special place — a place that would come to hold a large part of her heart. As a young girl, she learned to sail at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, race in regattas with children from Lambert’s Cove, play in the woods with friends in West Tisbury and visit family on Chappaquiddick.

It was during this time she met a young boy from West Chop named Peter. Years later, in her 20’s, while working at Poole’s Fish Market in Menemsha, she would look down the dock and lock eyes with that same boy, now a rugged sword-fisherman. Peter would go on to become her beloved husband of 38 years, and the father of their two beautiful daughters, Madeline and Kelsey.

After working in banking, she found a career advising young students at Sacred Heart University, starting in the career development office. For 12 years, she was senior associate director of athletics for Student-Athlete Support Services. She dedicated endless hours to advising student athletes, attending countless sporting events and helping young students from across the world navigate the trials of adulthood.

In retirement, she moved to the Vineyard full-time where she continued to influence the lives of many as a drug and alcohol counselor and recovery coach. She was an active board member for Vineyard House, the only sober living community on the Island. Her work with the sober community was one of her greatest passions. She helped so many and found so much joy in helping others find peace in their sobriety.

Her love of nature was evident in her long beach walks, often exploring with her grandchildren. She looked forward to the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles each year, chased glimpses of the elusive snowy owl. Recently, she ventured further afield, to a new adventure, mudlarking along the Thames River in London.

Her endless talents and interests included founding MadKel designs, needle point, upholstery, ancestral research, card games, climbing Mayan ruins, decorating for Christmas, gardening, watching hockey, sewing, jewelry making, antiquing, traveling and fishing with her husband, especially during the Derby, where one of her greatest accomplishments was winning biggest shore bass in 2019.

She was predeceased by her dear sister Abby Ann Patterson.

Lucy leaves an enormous legacy and is survived by her husband, Peter Cox; her two daughters Madeline Giosa (née Cox), and Kelsey Crimmins Cox, and their spouses, Eric Giosa and Margaret Blair Cox; her two beloved grandchildren, Rocco and Lulu (Lucy) Giosa; her brothers, Henry S. Patterson III, his partner Jeanne Herb, her brother Michael V. Patterson Sr., his wife Meg Patterson, their children, Michael V. Patterson Jr. and Nina Henze (née Patterson) and their spouses Rachel Patterson and Christian Henze; her nephews Nicholas Cammann, his partner Anna Corrado, their children Henry and Luca Cammann, Cortlandt Cammann, his partner Tara Gayle; her darling niece Katharine Cammann and husband Michael Cadman. She is also survived by her cherished furry children, Raven and Leroy.

A celebration of life ceremony is planned for the fall.