JoAnne Fox Obituary

In Loving Memory of JoAnne K. Fox
born November 29, 1942 - died June 6, 2025
Heaven gained an angel on June 6, 2025 as JoAnne Marie Kroesser Fox passed, surrounded by her devoted family. JoAnne enjoyed 82 years on this earth, leaving behind a cherished family and friends, a life of selfless service and a legacy of love.
Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1942 to the late Helen and Fidel W. Kroesser, JoAnne was raised in a Catholic family, along with her brother Bill Kroesser (Anne Fishkin) and her sister and "twin," Marilynn Peery (Ed Peery). Her early life was spent in Philadelphia, where the Kroesser family owned Fidelity Auto Shop on Broad St. When the family moved to Cheltenham, she became a majorette and a member of the Kappa Delta Phi sorority at Cheltenham High School. She graduated from Sacred Heart Nursing School in Allentown, PA in 1964 and worked for the county in public health nursing offering postpartum support to new mothers.
In 1965, she had a "shoulder tap" from God that forever changed her life. She turned her car into the parking lot of the Air Force Recruiting Center, and emerged as a new recruit. She served as a Captain and Head Nurse at Clark Station Air Force Base in the Philippines in the medical ward during the Vietnam conflict, tending to the wounded soldiers. She traveled throughout Asia during that time, met and fell in love with Sergeant George Anthony Fox, with whom she would spend 55 years stateside in matrimony, raising their three children, Chadwick, Chrisandra and Jeffrey, and becoming a Nana to 10 grandchildren.
After getting married in 1969, JoAnne moved to George's hometown, Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her real estate license but was called back to her love of nursing. She worked as an RN at ENT Associates for 32 years in Colerain township. There, she created and managed an allergy department at the ENT office. She flourished in her vocation as a nurse, touching many lives beyond her service in the Air Force and ENT Associates. JoAnne had an encyclopedic mind for medicine and was sought after for advice by family, friends and neighbors wherever she went.
She lived by her mother's guiding wisdom to "rise to any occasion", and served in a number of groups and associations. She and George were called in as first responders during the Kent State riots in 1970, and they were the first responders to arrive in Xenia after a F-5 tornado tore apart the Central State campus there. She became involved with La Leche League to help other mothers feed their babies. She participated as a leader in the Girl Scouts and the La Salle Boosters to support her children's activities, and promoted diversity in St. James Elementary School's Everybody Counts program. She took the front row to watch her daughter perform in McAuley High School plays, and brought the unmistakably joyful sound of the cow bell for each goal scored at her sons' La Salle soccer games. She became a "Red Hatter" in retirement and donated her time and energy to caring for all those she loved, including taking exquisite care of George, her mother and mother-in-law, as well as each of her 10 grandchildren.
Always the life of the party, she leaves behind a tight group of friends from St. James Parish called the Cobbly Nobbers, whose friendships span 40 years. JoAnne brought a celebration to every occasion - marking it with beautiful custom-made decorative cakes. A true craftswoman, she wove baskets and scarves, made fabric wedding albums, printed handmade cards through Stampin' Up and did embroidery to share messages of love and laughter with her loved ones.
In 2014, she and George became "Snowbirds" and bought a home in The Villages in Florida. They spent a decade enjoying winter retirement in the warmth of The Villages, spending time with her beloved sister and brother-in-law, Marilynn and Ed, as well as hosting friends and family.
She spent nearly 82 summers on the beach in her "happy place," Ocean City, New Jersey, with both bloodline and "saltwater" relatives of five generations. There, she will always be remembered in the warmth of the sunshine and sand between our toes, at 5 o'clock cocktail hour with a Tanqueray and tonic, in a game of 5 Crowns and in the eternal calming sound of the ocean waves that beckon her home.
Jo Anne had a special bond with each of her children and their spouses and her 10 grandchildren and 3 bonus grandchildren. Always an advocate of technological advancement, she kept in touch daily via text, often sending inspirational quotes, funny memes and prayers to her loved ones. She sent cards for every birthday and was very proud of the holiday e-card she sent at Christmas each year.
She was truly one-of-a-kind, embracing adventure until the very end. She was connected to an incredible source of energy, earning the nickname "the Energizer Bunny," always up for a new experience, there to lend a hand, a joke, a compassionate and understanding ear, and most of all, a beatific smile that let you know all was well.
She was strengthened by her devotion to the Lord, and practiced her religion daily. She was a beacon of light, strength and hope to all who sought sanctuary in her presence.
There are so many people whose lives have been positively influenced by JoAnne, who will miss her dearly and cherish the memories of her. She was an amazing mother, mother-in-law and favorite auntie to many, a truly devoted wife to her husband of 55 years, a fun and supportive Nana, and a dear sister and friend.
Her family and friends both mourn and celebrate having loved this angel on earth: George Fox, Chad & Tricia Fox, Chrisandra Nicole Fox Walker, Jeff & Jlee Fox, Bill Kroesser & Anne Fishkin, Marilynn & Ed Peery, Bo & Don Ochse, Kim Fox, Matt Peery & Jaymie Gustafson, Stephanie and Dan Sanderoff, Steven Peery, David Kroesser, Deb K. B. Oliver, the Stock Family, her beloved Grands - Joey Fox (Audrey Laiveling), Frankie Fox, Luke Fox (Libby Leubbering), Jane Fox, Elle Fox, AJ Fox, Evie Fox, Isaiah Santiago, Landenn Santiago, Malanee Santiago, Harry Fox Walker, Hugh Fox Walker & Hawkins Fox Walker, and her dear friends.
All are welcome to honor, grieve and celebrate our beautiful Mother, JoAnne Marie Kroesser Fox. We invite you to wear colorful attire instead of black, per JoAnne's desire to be remembered with joy.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 3, 2025 at 12 noon at St. Francis Cabrini Church in Ocean City, NJ.
A Visitation will be held on July 31, 2025 from 5-8 pm at The American Legion Post #513 7947 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231.
Her funeral will be held at St. James the Greater Church in White Oak on August 1, 2025 at 11 am, followed by military funeral honors. 3565 Hubble Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45247.
JoAnne and George were dedicated Veterans who proudly served our country in the United States Air Force. They belong to The American Legion in Mt Healthy, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by check to The American Legion Post 513. P.O. Box 31121
Cincinnati, OH 45231