Ethel B. Fox, 91, died Thursday, Feb.7, 2013, just 22 days after the death of her husband of 68 years, Bill. She leaves behind her two children, Patty and Bill Jr., two grandchildren, Sarah and Bill III, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was also eagerly looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchildren, twins, due this Spring. The cause of death was a massive stroke.
Born Jan. 30, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, Ethel was the daughter of Ethel (Murphy) and James Brennan. A talented singer and musician, Ethel graduated in the first class of The High School of Music and Art in New York City. She also studied music at Seaton Hall College and Hunter College. She met the love of her life, Bill Fox, during the war and they were married May 3, 1944 at our Lady’s Chapel in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Ethel and Bill moved to Stamford in the late 40s, later to Old Greenwich and Greenwich, and then back to Stamford to Heatherwood after Bill’s retirement. They also had a home in Naples, Fl where they happily traveled every winter to enjoy their many friends, the good weather and golf. She was playing right up to last year. Her shots got shorter but she always shot right down the middle and ended up in the hole in a respectable number of shots.
Ethel was tall and beautiful, a wonderful musician, fun and feisty, and excellent company. She and Bill were always the center of great times—the legendary 4th of July parties, family buffets, backyard barbeques, dinners for friends, always with lots of laughter and good food. She had a gift for making people feel at home. Parties at Ethel and Bill’s always included music and singing, with Ethel at the piano and everyone joining in. She could play anything in any key.
She and Bill were a united team, as much in love after nearly seven decades as they were in 1944. It is hard to imagine one without the other. They had a wonderful life—full of family, friends, travel, and love. Her children are consoled that they are together again even though they will miss them both so dreadfully.
She was one of the four beautiful Brennan sisters, Ethel, Dorothy, Joan and Pat. Ethel was the oldest but lived the longest. All four lived in Southern Connecticut, and hardly a day went by that they didn’t talk on the phone, or get together. They created a close and happy family cocoon that all the nieces and nephews miss every single day.
Ethel also was a great and natural cook. She could make anything taste good. Her children follow in her footsteps but never manage to make their cooking taste as good as their mom’s.
Ethel will be dearly missed.
Viewing hours will be 4 to 8 pm on Tuesday Feb. 12 at Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Wednesday Feb. 13 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Roxbury Rd., Stamford, CT. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com
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