Shirley Jeanne Fox

Shirley J. Fox, 89, of Batavia passed away Friday, December 17, 2021, surrounded by her family at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, in Geneva. She was born February 20, 1932, in Ottawa, IL the daughter of Earling Ostrem and Gernie (Edwinson) Ostrem. She was united in marriage to Robert Fox December 30, 1978, in Batavia, IL.

Shirley was born into a farming family near Ottawa, IL during the Great Depression. Her beloved birth mother Gernie (Edwinson) Ostrem was a talented music teacher who was known to have taught in Ottawa High School. Gernie Ostrem died when Shirley was 6 months old and brother Lowell was 3. Her father later married Helen Wing, affectionately known as ‘Mother Helen,’ who had two additional children, Vernon and Sharon. Shirley attended a one-room schoolhouse that she and her siblings would walk to every day. Shirley excelled in music and literature, earning high grades that helped her receive a scholarship to attend Northern Illinois State Teachers College in DeKalb. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, High Honors, and later her Master of Science in Music Education from University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Shirley moved to Batavia, IL and became an elementary school music teacher, and later, classroom teacher for the next 38 years. A beloved teacher and member of the Batavia community, Shirley was known as a generous and gracious lady who was the first to help a friend in need. She married Bob Fox in 1978 and became active in community theater, Playmakers, Inc., volunteer piano playing, accompanying school children in contests and musicals, and performing with her husband in presenting musical programs to local church groups, retirement centers, and parties. Their signature song, ‘I Remember It Well’ from the musical Gigi was a sure hit every time. In her retirement she continued to spend time in many musical endeavors, and with her 10 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Norma Ostrem; nephew Stanley (Sampa) Ostrem; five nieces, Carla (John) Stone, Rhonda (John) Crate, Doreen (Lance) Taylor, Holly (John) Banister, and Deanna (Rick) Skoczen; two cousins, Jim Ostrem and Elaine Ostrem; stepchildren Linda (David) Clemens, Roberta (Hans Koelsch) Fox, Jack (Diane) Fox and Elizabeth (Gerry) Sullivan, and above mentioned grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her stepmother Helen (Wing) Ostrem, husband Robert C. Fox, her two brothers Lowell and Vernon Ostrem, and her sister Sharon McNeilley.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Bethany Lutheran Church 8 S. Lincoln St, Batavia, IL 60510. Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Monday, December 27 at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 South Batavia Ave., Batavia, IL, and at the church one hour prior to the service, on Tuesday. Interment will be private at Little Indian Creek Cemetery, in Leland, IL. Facemasks are required at all indoor locations.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500 Chicago, Illinois 60611 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

For additional information contact Moss Family Funeral Homes, Batavia, IL 630-879-7900 or www.mossfuneral.com