Jane L. (Hornby) Fox

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Jane L. (Hornby) Fox

Jane L. (Hornby) Fox, 71, of Keene, NH and Pompano Beach, Florida, and formerly of Amherst, Hanover, and Lancaster, NH, died on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Cheshire Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene, surrounded by her family following a brief illness.

She was born October 6, 1940 in Charleston, West Virginia, daughter of Doris Louise (Breen) and Lewis Alfred Hornby. In 1958 she graduated from Welch, West Virginia, High School and attended Marshall University in Huntington, WV.

During the summer of 1958, while working at Interlaken Inn in Lakeville, CT she fell in love with Richard K. Fox. They were married on October 26, 1959. At their 50th Wedding Anniversary, with over 50 family and friends attending, they performed a wife/husband duet and exhibition dance. They were married for almost 53 years.

Jane retired in 1985 after serving as a researcher for Groton School in Groton, MA. Among her former positions, she served as secretary to the headmaster of Applewild School in Fitchburg, MA, as a salesperson for John Hancock Life Insurance and Avon products, in the investment offices of Cummings and Company and in the research facilities of the Brown University Biology Department.

Attending St. James Episcopal Church in Keene, she was a devoted member of the choir. Beginning as a child, throughout her life she sang in choirs, choral groups and at other public occasions, often performing solos or duets. She sung with the Marlboro Festival Chorus, the Keene Chorale, and choirs in Saxtons River, Vermont, Amherst, NH, and Groton, MA. Her love of singing showed in every piece she learned.

Among her many avocations, Jane was a genealogist, compiling over 20,000 ancestors in her family and that of her husband. She also helped scores of people to develop their skills in genealogy. She also crocheted, made finely tailored sport jackets for her husband and clothes for her children. She loved to attend the sports events and other activities of her children and grandchildren.

Jane was a member and former officer of the Milford, NH area Daughters of the American Revolution. And her affiliation and research led to the publication of a book. She also served as co-chair of the Amherst, NH, Republican Women Committee and was an honorary alumna of Groton School, Groton, MA.

Survivors include her husband, Richard, of Keene, NH; three children and their spouses; Richard and his spouse Cindy of Deerfield, MA and Cambridgeport, VT; Carie (Fox) Congleton and her spouse Pete of West Springfield, MA; and Robb Fox and his fianc, Florencia Cora of North Walpole, NH; five grandchildren, Hannah Fox, Brendan Fox, Charlie Congleton, Hunter Congleton and Grady Congleton; a sister, Barbara Halverstadt of Nashville, TN and a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Hornby of Mechanicsville, VA; several nephews and nieces and cousins; and her beloved Ragdoll Cat, Beau. Jane was predeceased by her parents and her only brother Kenneth Hornby.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at St James Episcopal Church, 44 West Street, Keene, NH 03431 with a reception given by the Choir in the Church Common Room. There are no calling hours and the burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that gifts be made to The Keene Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O John Harper at SAU 29, Keene School District, 193 Maple Avenue, Keene, NH 03431, or to Dublin School, PO Box 522, Dublin, NH 03444 or to the organization of your choice. The Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel is providing their services to the family. www.cheshirefamilyfuneralhome.com.

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