SARATOGA SPRINGS — Collette Fox passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 25, 2015. Collette was born on January 24, 1943 in Hammond, Indiana, the daughter of Matthias and Margaret Hafner. She graduated from Hammond High School and the University of Iowa. She worked twenty-seven years in the Friendship House Day Treatment Program before retiring in 2006. Collette helped both individual clients and groups and for years managed Friendship House’s lunch program.
Collette served for many years on the board and as treasurer of the Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health. She was especially active arranging its annual dinner. The Citizens Committee recognized her efforts to help the mentally ill by choosing her as its Citizen of the Year in 2012.
A member of The Church of St. Peter, Collette was also a charter member and treasurer of the Women’s Investment Club of Saratoga Springs. She enjoyed the Tuesday Night Women’s Bocci League and was the league’s treasurer for many years.
Over the years, Collette helped many people, typically in ways not apparent to others. She was quietly generous to those in need, she helped behind the scenes at celebrations, and oversaw affairs when friends passed away. Everyone could count on Collette; she was always there for others.
Most at home in the kitchen, Collette loved to cook and was mighty good at it. She took a cooking course at the CIA but could have taught CIA chefs a thing or two. She got requests for her specialties like a scrumptious cheesecake and her famous chili, “Hoosier Heat,” lived up to its name and won a Best Chili Award.
Collette enjoyed a wide range of music, especially Americana. She camped at numerous festivals (though preferring hotel “camping” to tenting). She especially liked Del McCoury, Chris Smither and once heard John Prine three times in eight days . . . “and in three different states,” she’d add with uncharacteristic immodesty.
She loved to travel, visiting Mexico and Europe many times and especially enjoyed a couple of longer stays in London. Collette liked Sudoku and crossword puzzles, family reunions and get-togethers, birds and gardens, museums and old houses, Saratoga and Sarasota. She watched Antique Road Show and Big Bang Theory with guilt-free pleasure. Win or lose, Collette enjoyed casinos with friends, sisters and nieces.
Most of all, Collette loved and enjoyed her family and friends and was immensely proud of her children.
Throughout her life, she was honest and intelligent, brave and stoic. She dealt with her long illness with courage and without complaint. Collette and Bill deeply appreciated support from family and friends and the care and compassion of her doctors, Alex Frank and Desmond DelGiacco.
Survivors include her husband Bill; son John (Barbara) of Alexandria, VA; daughter Jennifer of Washington, DC; sister Kathy (Fred) Hammond of Hammond, IN; sister-in-law Audrey Hafner of Pittsburgh, PA and sister- and brother-in-law Phyllis and Mike Hriso of Bloomington, IN along with twenty-five nieces and nephews and their families. She is predeceased by her siblings Pat Paulik, Tom Hafner, Mary Pouch, Jim Hafner, Jack Hafner, Jeanette Markley, Peggy Krygier, and Matt Hafner.
Relatives and friends gathered yesterday afternoon, Thursday, October 29, 2015 at the Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs; a memorial service followed.
A Mass will be celebrated at Collette’s childhood church, All Saints Church in Hammond, IN. Burial will follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville, IN.
Memorials may be made in Collette’s name to the Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health, P.O. Box 820, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to the DelGiacco Intensive Care Unit, Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
