Joyce Linthicum Fox

Joyce Linthicum Fox, 95, passed away on October 23rd, 2023 in Chicago. She was born on June 22, 1928 and raised in High Point, NC to Wayland Henry and Berta A (nee Harvey) Linthicum. Her family of 8 enjoyed playing bridge and dancing the jitterbug. Joyce graduated from High Point High School as the Salutatorian then matriculated to Duke University where she graduated with a BA in Sociology in 1951. She met her future husband Ed at Duke. While Ed was serving in the U.S. Navy following their wedding, Joyce worked as the Director of the Guilford County Girls Scouts and for her father’s construction company.

In their early married life in Pittsburgh, she and Ed attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and being a part of the Supper Club. She also taught at summer Bible School. Their 3 children were born in Pittsburgh. She and the family traveled to see the Linthicum relatives in North Carolina every year and were excited to return to NC when Ed had a job offer there in 1967.

In her 56 years in Wilmington, NC, Joyce enjoyed raising their children and being involved at St. John’s Episcopal Church where she was on the Altar Guild. She also enjoyed tennis and bridge, including teaching bridge for many years. Joyce was an avid tournament duplicate bridge player and eventually earned 3300 master points to become a Gold Life Master. She and Ed had a lot of fun racing their 28-foot Sabre sailboat, Reve, where Joyce was first mate.

Joyce was the director for Wilmington’s Duke University Alumni Admissions Committee for over 20 years. She and Ed co-chaired their Duke 50th Reunion committee, breaking all records for attendance at Duke 50th reunions.

In early 2023, Joyce and Ed moved to Chicago to be closer to family where she was able to enjoy many celebrations of birthdays and holidays with family.

Joyce leaves behind her beloved husband Edgar Charles Fox, after 72 years of marriage, her three loving children Wende Linthicum Fox (Lawrence James (Jim) Lawson III) of Chicago, IL, Bradley Charles Fox (Marie Maxwell Fox) of Eden Prairie, MN, and Anne Fox Ayanian (John Zaven Ayanian) of Ann Arbor, MI, her adoring seven grandchildren Andrew Vincent Sitzler Fox of Chelsea, MI, Katherine Fox Ayanian (Matthew Joseph Mingey) of Washington, DC, Matthew Fox Ayanian of Chicago, IL, Diana Rose Sitzler Fox of Chelsea, MI, Caroline Fox Ayanian of San Francisco, CA, Grace Anne Fox Lawson of Chicago, IL, and James Edgar Lawson of Chicago, IL.

Joyce was her grandchildren’s precious, darling, beautiful “Mamoo” and will be terribly missed by all her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1219 Forest Hills Drive., Wilmington, NC 28403 or www.stjohnsepiscopalchurch.org

A memorial service will be held in Wilmington, NC at a later date.