In Memory of

Barbara

Louise

Fox

Obituary for Barbara Louise Fox

Our beloved sister and aunt, Barbara Louise Fox, passed away May 11, 2021 at the age of 70 years. She had been ill since 2013 when she suffered a severe sepsis infection and then a diagnosis of peritoneal cancer in 2016. Although we are deeply saddened by her death, our family is so grateful that Barb is no longer in pain and is with her Lord and Savior.
Barb was born in Akron, Ohio October 1, 1950. She was the daughter of Robert and Rosejean Fuchs. In December of 1959 Barb moved to Manistee, Michigan with her parents and older sister Donnajean. She graduated from Manistee High School in 1968 and from Grand Valley University in 1972 with a degree in history. She returned to school and graduated in respiratory therapy in 1978.
Barb spent over 30 years as a registered respiratory therapist. She worked for a time at the hospitals in Bay City and Saginaw, but spent the majority of her career at Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland Michigan.
During her life Barb enjoyed traveling. She was able to go on a dream vacation to Hawaii and then a trip to Ireland. She also traveled extensively in many states, and visited museums and cemeteries in order to learn more about her ancestors. Barb was an excellent amateur genealogist.
She was a member of the Midland Genealogical Society. She was also a member of the National Society Daughters of the Union, 1861-1865.
Barb never married and had no children of her own. However, the loves of her life were her nephew Sean Pierce and her great nephew Kyle Pierce. Her two boys gave her so much joy. Even in the last week of her life, she was reminiscing about Sean and her great nephew Kyle when they were little guys and how precious they had always been to her.
As Barb’s sister, I want to personally thank each and everyone of you who were Barb’s friend. There are so many of you that I know there will be people whose name I do not mention. Barb knew who each of you were and she loved you dearly.
I especially want to thank Quita, Marsha, Wilma and Gail for your many years of friendship with Barb. She loved the lunches, birthday celebrations and genealogy trips that she so enjoyed with all of you. Dear Karen and Darlene – thank you for your friendship, checking in on Barb and the many calls you made to her. It meant so much. I am so grateful to you Charley for helping Barb with grocery shopping during the Covid pandemic. I could go on and on with names, but you know who you are. Barb took each of you into her heart and kept you there. God bless all of you.
Barb leaves behind many relatives: sister Donnajean and her husband Charlie Showalter, nephew Sean Pierce, his wife Pennie and children Kyle Pierce and Shelby (Collin) Davey and their children Holden, Hendrick and Harrison. Barb also leaves behind nieces Jennifer (Scott) Greenwalt, Elizabeth (Erik) Treudt and their children Hailey and Shane, dear cousins Howard Harper, Heidi (Tim) Griffy and their children Christopher and Carrrie, Joan Keck, Barbara Noonen, and Madeline Allinder and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Rosejean Fuchs, grandparents Cecil and Madge McGinley, Emma and Clemens Fuchs, many aunts and uncles, cousins, special friend Nancy Lackie and special cousin John (Jack) Fuchs (KIA WW11) whom she had always hoped to meet in Heaven.
There will be a private family service for Barb June 5, 2021 and will be officiated by Pastor Dennis Rahn of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee. Barb considered Trinity her church away from her home and enjoyed attending services there and donating to the yearly bazaar and silent auction sponsored by Trinity. Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center (www.oakgrovefh.com) have been in charge of all arrangements, including a burial which has already taken place.
If you wish to honor Barb, please make a donation to a library, any charity that helps individuals in your own community, the Lighthouse Pregnancy Center in Manistee, St. Jude’s Hospital, or the Salvation Army. If you knit or crochet, she would encourage you to knit a baby blanket, lap robe, etc. and donate it to a nursing facility, Veteran’s center or a pregnancy center in your town. Barb made hundreds of these items over the years and joyfully donated them. Barb truly felt we were meant to serve others, to pay it forward
Lastly Barb would ask you to love and cherish your family.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless all of you and your dear families.