It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth (Betty) Fox, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to so many. Betty passed away at home Nov. 13, 2023, at the age of 90.
Betty was born Jan. 8, 1933, at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Einar and Johanne (Ystenes) Udland. She grew up in Union City, N.J. During the summers of her childhood, her tante would bring her along with her sister and cousin to upstate New York where she met the Yaple family. One of her first jobs was at Cornell, and she lived with the Yaple family. She also spent time working at New York Life in the city. On May 4, 1957, she married John Fox in St. Olav’s Lutheran Church in Weehawken, N.J.
She and her late husband John raised their family in the Norwegian enclave of Lake Telemark, Rockaway, N.J. They retired to Walton where they built a home on a beautiful piece of property.
Betty enjoyed gardening, reading, going to bluegrass festivals, sewing, knitting, quilting, making crafts, camping, and doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles.
Betty was known for her generosity of spirit, and she inspired that same willingness to volunteer in her children. While raising her four children, Betty served the Girl Scouts of America for over 25 years, was the treasurer for the local Boy Scout troop, coached softball and basketball, and was the Director of Sunday School for her church. After moving to Walton, Betty was soon helping with the Head Start program and volunteered at the homemaking department at the Delaware County Fair, where she received a certificate for 35 years of service. She was a member of Sons of Norway for over 50 years. She was also very active in the church.
Betty is survived by her sister Peggy Gerding of Cary, N.C.; loving children Kenneth Fox (fiancé Kiersten Hammer) of Roxbury, N.J.; Michael (Mary) Fox of Branchville, N.J.; Debra Martin (Hank) of Walton, Patricia Fox of Walton, grandchildren James (Brianna) Van Valen, Kristen (Jon) Ronnevik, Matthew (Alyssa) Fox, Jason Fox, Stephanie (Jesse) Oberg, Christine (Christopher) Godfrey, Erik Martin and Lisa Martin; great-grandchildren James, Veda, Maximillian, Micaiah, Gunnar, Leif, Haakon, Oskar, Finn, Oliver, Evan, Dylan, Carsen and Benjamin; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Betty was predeceased by her brother Arthur Udland and her sister Evelyn Karpack.
She will be missed by her many friends from Sons of Norway, and those with whom she bowled, quilted, and ceramics.
Friends and family are invited to call Friday, Dec. 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend Street, Walton. A service will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Walton, 101 North Street, Walton, with Reverend Christine Lindeberg officiating.
Memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to the Delaware Valley Agricultural Society of Walton, NY (Delaware County Fair); P.O. Box 344, Walton, NY 13856 or the First United Methodist Church of Walton, 101 North Street, Walton, NY 13856.
Condolences to the family may be made online at www.courtneyfh.com
