Obituary: Anna Fox

FITCHBURG - Anna Fox, age 104 ½, died peacefully in her sleep at home early Thursday morning, June 12, 2008. She was born on Jan. 13, 1904 in Madison to Dr. Philip Reginald and Katharine Brigham Fox. Anna graduated from Madison Central High School and the UW-Madison with a B.A. in history. She was an underwriter for The Wisconsin Life Insurance Co. in Madison for 42 ½ years from Aug. 2, 1926 to Jan. 31, 1969. Her grandfather was the first medical director there and was succeeded by her father. When Anna retired, it was the first time since its founding in 1895, that there was no Fox in the company. A highlight of Anna's life was her trip in 1933 to the British Isles. While there she met her cousin, Brabizon Fox in Ireland. They recognized each other right away although they would have had to go back to Matthew Fox (1745-1808), Anna's great-great-great grandfather to find a common ancestor. She was a good friend to many, many people and will be well remembered for her wit and fine sense of humor, as well as her prodigious memory and love of history, all of which remained until the end. Anna is survived by her sister, Katharine "Katy" Fox Purcell; her nephew, Philip "Pete" Fox Purcell; nieces, Katharine "Kate" Brigham Renchin and Nancy Deering Fox; and countless cousins around the world. She was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth (Ums) Franklin Kaeser; and a brother, Philip Fox. A Memorial Mass will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, with Father Bill Connell presiding. Inurnment will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service on at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg WI, 53711. Gunderson Oregon Funeral and Cremation Centers 431 Soden Dr. (608) 835-3515

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 15, 2008