Obituary of Della Fox

Della was born on Sept. 4, 1921 in Bellville, Richland, Ohio, the eldest of nine children born to or adopted by Reid H. Garber and Eleanor Hofeling Garber. In early 1932 the family moved to Roseburg, OR and in 1939 to rural farming property in Elmira, OR, where Della graduated from Elmira High School in 1941. After the beginning of World War II, Della married Frank John Fox on November 3, 1942 before he left for overseas army duty. They lived in Eugene and remained married until his death in 2008. During the war and Frank's absence, Della worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, the U.S. Forest Service as a fire lookout at Soda Mountain in southern Oregon, and at an Oregon flax plant. After Frank's return they raised their family of three children, and Della went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell, retiring in 1982 after thirty years. Della was a devout and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life, serving as librarian and teaching Primary children, and seeing that every new baby born in the congregation had one of her lovely quilts as a welcome. Very quietly and unassumingly Della became a fine doctrinal scholar, devoted to living as Jesus Christ would have her live. In spite of her life of hard work Della had many interests and hobbies. She was an ardent reader of many subjects, played the organ in her home, wrote poetry extensively for friends and for many occasions, and enjoyed knitting, sewing, quilting, and gardening. She delighted in the activities and accomplishments of her children and their families and loved nothing more than their company and visits. For family and myriad friends, Della's kindness to all, her grand stories, and her ready laughter will live forever. Della is survived by her three children and their spouses, Michael J. Fox (Barbara) of Creswell, Sandra M. Leister (John) of Dexter, and Annette J. Benek (Alan) of Eugene, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, sisters Evelyn Rowlette of Delta, UT and Lela Fox of Sun City, AZ, and brothers Samuel M. Garber of Newport, OR and Lee Garber of Seaside, OR and James Garber, home unknown. Della passed away at her home in Eugene at age 91 and was preceded in death by her husband Frank, sisters Grace and Winona, and brother Aaron. A graveside memorial service, open to all friends and family will be held at West Lawn Memorial Funeral Home, 5300 W. 11th Ave., Eugene on Wednesday, July 31st at 1:00p.m. Friends and family are invited to gather afterward at Della's home at 2498 Miami Lane, Eugene, for food and stories. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Della's name to Cascade Hospice