Elinor A. Fox

ALBANY –  It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother Elinor Austin Fox at age 83 on Sunday, July 4, 2010 after a prolonged battle with cancer.  Elinor was born in Troy, NY to the late Edwin Austin and Ella Downs.  She attended Vincentian Institute in Albany, and in September 1946 she married John B. Fox from Albany where her eight children were born and raised.  Throughout her life, she was a dedicated caregiver to her family including her mother.  Through example, Elinor taught her children to be loving, responsible and hard-working.  We will always cherish everything she taught us.

 She loved to play the piano and had a beautiful voice.  Elinor also loved to exercise her mind every morning with the crossword puzzles, jumble and cryptoquip.  Sundays were a special day when the Scrabble Challenge would begin after church with her loving family.  On the quiet afternoons, she enjoyed painting and has a wonderful display of art throughout her home which is treasured by her family.  In the late 1970’s, Elinor worked for the NYS Department of Lottery and Teacher’s Retirement.   After retirement, Elinor and John spent several years in Deerfield Beach, Florida.   After the passing of her husband, she returned to Albany to be closer to her children.  She was the adored mother of Susan Miller (Stewart) of Las Vegas, Nevada; John A. Fox (Patricia) of Guilderland, NY; Paula Fox-Murphy of Troy, NY; Edwin Fox (Lora) of Latham, NY; Mary Ellen Macri (John) of Averill Park, NY; Paul E. Fox (Paula) of Loudonville, NY; Elinor McDermott (Tom) of East Greenbush, NY and Lisa Zarzycki of Rensselaer, NY.  She is also survived by 8 grandchildren (Susan Sherr, Matthew Fraley, Tina Coughlin, Anthony Fox, Erin and Drew Fox and Michael and Joseph McDermott) and 4 great grandchildren.

 Her family would like to extend a special thank you to Albany Medical Center Hospital Pulmonary Department, most especially Dr. Thomas Smith and Marva George, who provided many years of outstanding care and compassion.  For those who desire, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Elinor Fox to the Pulmonary Department at Albany Medical Center, c/o Albany Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 8928, Albany, NY  12208.

 Please come and celebrate Elinor’s life with us on Thursday, July 8, 2010, at Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Avenue, Albany, NY from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 9th at 9:30 a.m. in All Saints Catholic Church (the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church), Homestead St., Albany, NY (behind CVS).  Relatives and friends are invited.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .