Christine "Christy" Cobb

Christine “Christy” Cobb,70, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome after a brief illness. She was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing.

Christy was born October 27, 1953, to Lewis C. “Bing” Cobb and Sarah “Sally” (Barnes) Cobb in Chicago, Illinois. From an early age she had a fascination with politics. It is theorized that it began as she watched the McCarthy hearings from her playpen. Her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1956. In junior high and high school, Christy continued pursuing her interest in politics by being an active volunteer in Iowa politics. In her senior year of high school, Christy served as a page in the Iowa Senate. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1972. Christy attended Coe College and the University of Iowa where she studied journalism.

Christy worked as an on-air reporter for WMT radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, primarily covering politics and the courthouse. She returned to Des Moines to work for the Republican State Central Committee, and then for the 1988 George H.W. Bush Presidential campaign. After the election, Christy moved to Washington D.C. taking a position as Deputy Director of Invitations for the Bush Inaugural Committee. It was there that she became interested in designing invitations, having helped design and distribute invitations for the White House. She returned to West Des Moines to open The Write Touch in Valley Junction, where she designed wedding invitations and other personal stationery.

In 1996, Christy began her greatest adventure. She traveled to China to bring home her daughter, Sarah Grace “Gracie” Cobb. Her family, Gracie especially, were the center of her world. She treated everyone like a part of her family, regardless of blood relation or the words on a piece of paper.

Christy retired in 2012. She continued her interest in politics and current events, gardening, and her regular contact with her extensive number of friends and family scattered all over the country.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Grace “Gracie” Cobb; her niece, but daughter in every other way, Zoey Cobb; sisters, Virginia Cobb and Barbara Cobb; nephews Joseph and Jonathan; nieces Kate and Jessica.

Christy was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis C. “Bing” Cobb and Sarah Virginia “Sally” Cobb.

Christy was a diehard Iowa Hawkeyes Football fan having grown up watching games with her father on Saturdays. “The Wave” as it’s known became one of her favorite traditions, and she spoke frequently about the Children’s Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2024 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5720 Urbandale Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.

As a journalist, she was also passionate about the power of the press. She believed in its duty and responsibility to inform the public on the news of the day. Having reported on politics and being conscious of and concerned about coverage of the presidency, she was an advocate for the work done by the team of reporters who cover the White House.

Because of these passions, we ask that any donations be given in her name to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa and/or the White House Correspondence Association which provides scholarships to young journalism students.

Donations to the White House Correspondence Association may be made at whca.press.
Donations to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital may be made at UIHC.org/donations or at 1-800-648-6973.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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