The Tribune

WHILE THE family, friends and loved ones are saddened by the recent passing of Anna Fox, they find comfort in knowing that she lived a full, honourable and loving life.

Anastacia Louise “Anna” Fox (nee Knowles) was 88 years when she died last month.

She was born on December 25, 1927 in Whymms, Long Island, and was eighth of 12 children of Edmond and Albertha Knowles.

She was educated at the church school in Whymms. After completing the education programme there, she moved the New Providence to seek employment. She was married to Charles Melbourne “Duke” Fox (who predeceased her in 2008) on April 14, 1952. 

From their union came four children: Keith, a marina manager in Long Island; Denise, a store clerk in Long Island; Andre, a mechanic (who died in 2000), and John, a casino croupier in New Providence.

Anna worked as a newspaper clerk at The Tribune, a job which involved a number of duties including assisting with cash counts, making bank deposits, recording and counting paper inventory, binding telephone directories, and filing and maintaining the archives of each daily print that was published.

Her family said Anna enjoyed all of her duties at The Tribune and never complained about being asked to do any task.

In fact, she took great pride in being on time to work every day and working along with the friends she developed there over the years.

Punctuality was her hallmark and she was never late to anything – a trait which earned her praise from her bosses at The Tribune. She was always the first person at the office each morning. 

Anna was also an avid reader in her free time and spent several hours a day reading her Bible and the Daily Guideposts, which she always ordered at least three months in advance to make sure she had them for each new year.  

She also enjoyed spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and her siblings, often lunching with them as they also reached their retirement years.  

Anna was a frequent church-goer at St Anne’s Anglican Church. She also made sure each day to call her other retired friends and relatives often, always starting conversations with the questions like, “How are you doing?”, “How’s the weather?”

She was very keen on the words of her Lord Jesus Christ, especially the Golden Rule of, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. 

Additionally, having a clean house before she left home each day was important to her.

Some of the most memorable experiences her children recall having with Anna are the Christmas outings to the Savoy Theatre and to see the Junkanoo parades.

When her children were very young, Anna enjoyed taking them to the beach every weekend and riding her bicycle to and from work before the family moved further east. Moreover, holiday dinners with her siblings and all their children was great fun for all.

“We love the fact that she was a true Christian and never let her circumstances override her values. Anna believed in contributing to church and being a regular attendee, especially on Christmas and Good Friday. She made sure that we were serious about worshipping God and she was always concerned that we acted with proper sensibility whether at home, at work, or in our outings. We love the fact that she was not a busybody who never got into arguments, treated people mean, nor got in anyone’s business,” a statement from her family said.

“We are sad that she will no longer be here to laugh with us and play with her great-grandchildren as the family continues to grow. We already miss the tasty food she made and the recipes she taught her granddaughters, especially her guava duff, guava jam, bread-stuffed pork, and baked macaroni.”