FOX, Joan On Wednesday, September 6, 2017 somewhere in the halls of heaven, a school bell rang, and Margaret Joan Fox, ever the consummate teacher answered its summons. Joan was born on February 26, 1933 at St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, to Jenny Long Metteer and Milton J. Metteer. Preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Jennifer Lynn Smith and her brother, Bruce Metteer. Joan is survived by her grandchildren, Brad, Kevin, and Briana Smith as well as her great-grandchildren, Zoe Renee Smith, Emma Lynn Smith, Mason Allen Martin, and Madelyn Martin and nieces, Debby Knight (David), and Donna Metteer. Joan grew up in the Old Pueblo, attending Sam Hughes Elementary School, Mansfield Junior High School and Tucson High School. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and taught in the Amphitheater School District (Prince and Rio Vista Elementary schools) for 39 years. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, a professional teaching sorority and was recognized as an outstanding teacher by her peers in 1987. After retirement, she continued to tutor children and taught beginning math and reading classes to adults in the County Penal System. Joan was a woman of many interests. She enjoyed making dolls…all kinds of dolls - dozens of dolls - baby dolls, school children, debutantes, trick or treaters, a hurdy gurdy man, a preacher even a bag lady and displayed them in small scenes in the niches and corners of her home - making what truly rivaled "Old Geppetto's" toy shop. Joan was also a devoted student of the Bible and a very active member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, played with the Steeple Bells Choir, served on the Board of Deacons and on the Session as a Ruling Elder, and was very active in the Women's Ministry where she was recognized with a Lifetime United Presbyterian Women's award in 2011. Joan's faith stood her in good stead through three of the darkest times of her life….the divorce and death of her husband, Bill Fox, and the untimely death of her beloved daughter, Jenny. Joan will be missed by her family, her many friends and her devoted church family. She was a good, kind-hearted woman, much loved by the children and parents she worked with through the years as well as those she touched daily. Memorial Services are planned for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson, Arizona. Her family wishes to thank the staffs of Home Instead, Catalina Foothills Adult Care and Casa de la Luz Hospice for the loving care they provided Joan during the last weeks of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northminster Presbyterian Church or the Southern Arizona Human Society. Rest in peace, dear friend. Arrangements by DESERT SUNSET FUNERAL HOME.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Sep. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan FOX

3 Entries

Rebecca Hernandez

September 7, 2018

I just heard of Mrs Fox passing. She was my second grade teacher at Prince Elementary. I looked up to her a great deal, she is one of the few teachers I tell my son and husband about. I'm sorry for the loss of this wonderful woman and mentor.

Kimberly Romo

September 13, 2017

Mrs. Fox was my 2nd grade teacher at Rio Vista, and to this day, remains one of my favorite teachers who had the biggest impact on my life! I have many fond memories from her classroom including her participation in the school wide "post office" as well as the cute little fox drawing she would do to help us remember her name. But perhaps what I will remember most is the immense patience she had when teaching me phonics - something I continue to use everyday! I became a journalist and relied on the skills she taught me every single day of my career. When I moved back to Tucson to anchor the news, I reconnected with Mrs. Fox to thank her for teaching me phonics and let her know that I use that skill every day. It was delightful to reconnect with her! She was an incredible teacher whose passion impacted so many. I am comforted to hear that she was on hospice care and comfortable when she passed. Mrs. Fox, thank you for your commitment and passion. You impacted so many lives during your time as a teacher. May you rest in peace!

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