Lily Fox, 95, of Yakima passed away on Friday March 30 at Parkside Nursing Home. Lily was born in 1922 to Bertram and Annie (Leigh) Fox in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire England. Toward the end of the war she served in the A.T.S. (a division of the Women’s Army Corps) as a cook where she reached the rank of sergeant.
She migrated to the United States in 1951 and was employed by Decoto Aircraft till she retired in 1984.
Lily enjoyed painting, working crossword puzzles, and playing the Lotto. She was a staunch Mariners fan. As a younger woman she enjoyed fishing and taking her many nephews with her and taught them well. She was a very generous person and would give you the proverbial “shirt off her back,” even though it may take a few washings to eradicate the smell of tobacco smoke. She was never mean nor vindictive, however her “road to truth” may have had a few potholes and speed bumps as she related a story.
Lily never married and though she rarely mentioned it, it is believed she lost the love of her life during the war while she was still in England. She was a very independent person and learned many building skills from her brothers who were in the building trade. This enabled her to perform many carpentry and electrical jobs around her house. She was so independent that in her early 80s she may be seen on her roof replacing a shingle or on a ladder painting her house.
After concerns were raised about this, she grudgingly began to rely on two of her nephews (Bradley Fox and Grant Johnsen) to assist her.
Lily is survived by her two sisters, May Johnsen and Ivy (Jack) McCormick and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertram and Annie Fox, and her brothers Bert (of England) Stanley, Albert and Roy Fox of Yakima.
A special thanks go to the entire staff at Parkside Nursing Home for their care and concern for Lily during these past two years.
A graveyard service will be conducted at the West Hills Cemetery on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
