Twyla Cox Killian Towt Pittsinger

Twyla Cox (Killian, Towt, Pittsinger)

January 9, 1928 – December 19, 2025

Twyla Cox, a woman of indomitable spirit, quick wit, and deep faith, passed away peacefully at her home in Manti, Utah, on December 19, 2025. She was 97 years old, just a few short weeks shy of celebrating her 98th birthday—a milestone she approached with the same spirit that defined her entire life.

Born on a farm in Shelley, Idaho, Twyla’s resilience was forged early. After the heartbreaking loss of her mother during childbirth, Twyla was raised by her beloved grandmother, Ellie. The bond they shared was the foundation of Twyla’s life, instilling in her the strength and maternal warmth she would later shower upon her own family.

Twyla’s life was a testament to the power of new beginnings. Her first marriage to Val Killian brought her a son, Jeffrey, but ended in tragedy when Val passed away in a car accident. Courageous and open-hearted, Twyla found love again with Jack Towt. She embraced her role as a stepmother to Jack’s sons, Howie and Richard, and together she and Jack welcomed two more sons, Kevin and Charlie. In a household full of boys, Twyla was the steady, nurturing heart.

An accomplished cook who poured love into every dish, Twyla once shared her talents with the community by opening a scratch-kitchen cafe in Ephraim, famous for its homemade pies, named 'My Brother's Place.' Following Jack’s passing, she transitioned into a career as an administrative assistant in the aerospace industry, proving her competence and adaptability once again.

In her later years, Twyla found a beautiful companionship with Harry Pittsinger and once again became a stepmother to 4 adult children, this time, Carol, Diane, Joel, and Jeff Pittsinger. They spent their retirement nesting in laughter, enjoying a vibrant social life, and playing in the mountains they both loved. After Harry’s passing when Twyla was 87, she moved to Manti, where she lived independently for her final decade with the devoted support of her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Claudia.

Twyla was a woman of many interests. She was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her faith and temple work were the guiding light of her life. She was an avid gardener whose home was as immaculate as it was welcoming. Her years on the farm proved that you can take the girl off the farm, not the farm out of the girl. Perhaps most famously, Twyla was a fixture on the ski slopes; she took great pride in her "free senior pass" and could be found tackling moguls well into her later years. She had an enduring love for chocolates, a listening ear for anyone in need, and a sense of humor so sharp she often joked about possessing the "live forever gene."

She is preceded in death by her three beloved husbands, Val, Jack, and Harry; her parents; her stepsons Richard, Joel, and Jeff; her stepdaughter Carol; and her siblings.

She leaves behind a vast legacy of love, including her three sons, Jeff (Claudia), Kevin (Debra), and Charles (Sophia); 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren (including her namesake, little Twyla); and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather to honor Twyla’s extraordinary life on Friday, December 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. in the Ephraim Park Cemetery. There will be no public viewing. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti