Nancy L. Fox

Nancy L. Fox of Maiden Lane, Kingston died Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Ten Broeck Commons Nursing Home. She was 85. Nancy was raised in Germantown, PA. She met her husband, Howard Fox, while working at the Tasty Cakes Factory in Philadelphia. While walking down a hallway with a tray full of pastries she tripped over the electrical cord that Howard had stretched across the hallway to power his radio to listen to the ball game and sparks ignited. Nancy and Howard eventually settled in Kingston in 1947 and began raising the first of four children. She always kept in close contact with all of her relatives from Philadelphia, including thousands of letters and cards. Even as the extended family grew and migrated all over the country, Nancy kept track of everyone's birthday, anniversary, and everyone could always count on a thoughtful Christmas or Easter card every year. No matter where one would travel, Nancy could always tell you that a second-cousin-once-removed lived only two miles away. While raising her four girls, Nancy was instrumental in the success of Howard's Real Estate business. Her amazing ability to remember names, dates, and relationships helped Howard and Nancy to be integral parts of the Kingston social and business community. Nancy always knew the mayor, his wife, the bankers and lawyers: even the postmen would get a friendly hello from Nancy whenever they walked by. Combined with her ability to keep track of everything going on in town, and Howard's brilliance as an investor, they were a team that could not fail. Nancy loved history and geography and this passion combined with her memory helped her become a truly spectacular story-teller. Few people could match her ability to recall dates and facts and when combined with her passion and love for life she could keep a room of people captivated for hours. Surviving is her husband, Howard L. Fox, three daughters, Bernice Morrow of Lake Katrine, Evelyn Hopp of West Hurley and Eileen Hardesty of Irvine, California, a sister, Marie Smith of Kingston; six grandchildren Elizabeth Hardesty, Beth Hopp, Lenore Morrow Mallett, Jason Morrow, Robert Morrow, and Matthew Hopp; many nieces and nephews. One daughter Jean Fox died in 1973; and one brother Frederick Lachat died previously. Reposing at the Simpson Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral procession will form on Monday at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph 's Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health Foundation, 105 Mary's Ave., Kingston , Ulster County Historical Society, PO Box 279 , Stone Ridge, Hospice Foundation, 34 Broadway, Kingston , Ulster County SPCA, 20 Wiedy Road , Kingston , or Friends of Historic Kingston, PO Box 3763 , Kingston.