The young mum-of-three has been remembered as “an absolute gem” who “always livened up the room”
14:45, 27 Dec 2025Updated 14:50, 27 Dec 2025
Maria Cox
Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a “lovely, friendly and kind” mum-of-three From Co Kilkenny who sadly passed away on Christmas Eve.
Maria Cox, who was originally from Lisdowney but had been living in Newbridge, Co Kildare, for a number of years, passed away “peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff of St. Brigid’s Hospice, The Curragh” on Wednesday, according to a death notice shared on RIP.ie.
Maria, who worked at Pfizer’s Technology and Innovation Centre in Newbridge, is sadly missed by her devastated husband James, her children Dan, Leah and Paddy, extended family, relatives and friends.
Tributes have poured in for the popular mum-of-three following her death, with Newbridge Rugby Football Club sharing a statement online highlighting the work Maria did for the club during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a message shared on social media, a club spokesperson said: “Dear members, it’s with sadness that we have heard of the passing of Maria Cox.
“Maria led our Covid initiatives and played a massive part in ensuring we were able to return to training and to competitive action. Subsequent to leading our Covid initiatives, Maria served several years as a valuable and active member of our club Executive.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to her husband James, club exec and coach, her children Dan, former club player, Leah and Paddy, current player with U14’s, extended family, relatives and friends.”
Maria’s co-workers at Pfizer have shared their own tributes, as they remembered the Kilkenny native as ‘a great character’ who ‘was always willing to share her knowledge’.
One co-worker said: “James, Dan, Leah and Paddy, I was deeply saddened to hear this News on beautiful Maria, I met Maria in work and she was an absolute Gem, a true lady! I loved to chat with her on her equestrian related background. My thoughts are with you all! Maria will be remembered always.”
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Another person added: “My sincere condolences to James, Daniel, Léah & Paddy on the very sad passing of Maria, I had the pleasure of working with Maria in Pfizer, she was a great character. May she Rest in Peace.”
A third co-worker said: “My condolences to James, Dan, Leah and Paddy. I had the great pleasure of working with Maria in Pfizer. She was a wonderful person who was always willing to share her knowledge. May she rest in peace.
While a fourth wrote: “I’m deeply saddened to read of Maria’s passing. She was such a lovely person and I cannot believe shes gone way before her time. I knew Maria from our time in Pfizer and she was always so nice and kind. My sincere condolences to her husband and children and extended family members. May God help you all get through this very sad time. May maria now rest in eternal peace.”
While another person added: “I worked with Maria in Pfizer Newbridge. Maria, was a true lady and I will never forget the many great conversations we had about all things other than work. Her kindness and warmth was always presents. Sending on my deepest condolences to her husband and three children at this very sad time.”
Maria earned a masters from UCD in Dublin, with her former supervisor writing in a message shared online: “My sincere sympathy to the Cox and Kenny families on the sad passing of Maria. She was a lovely person, very smart and a great student. May she rest in peace. — Frank O’Mara (supervisor of Maria’s Masters in UCD)
Maurice Boland, former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at UCD, said: Sincere sympathy to Maria’s family on her recent death. She was an excellent student and a great person who always livened up the room. May her soul rest in peace.”
Maria’s funeral was held at Dominican College Church in Newbridge on Saturday afternoon. Following the service, Maria was laid to rest at the nearby St. Conleth’s Cemetery.
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