Mary Russell Fox, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Chateau Girardeau.

Mary was born to Helen Coerver and Burwell Fox Jr. on Oct. 30, 1926.

She attended school at the Campus School and College High, and then graduated with the class of 1947 from Southeast Missouri State University. She later received a master's degree from Columbia University.

She taught for a few years in Des Moines, Iowa, and Stockton, Texas, before deciding she was tired of living with other people. She moved home with her parents and cared for them until their deaths in 1974 and 1975. She continued to teach first and second grade for 40 years at schools in Cape Girardeau.

She was always up for an adventure. In 1949, she biked through Europe with her sister and a friend. She traveled around the world with her dear friend, Kathryn Bell, and visited many other countries over the years, including a train trip across Russia, as well as trips to China, Tibet and Mongolia. She traveled all over the United States to see her friends and family. She was well-loved and will be greatly missed by all of them.

She was a devout member of St. Vincent's parish and said a daily rosary for most of her life. She volunteered at Meals on Wheels and participated in many activities as one of the first residents of Chateau Girardeau. She loved the staff and residents and appreciated the good care she received over the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Burwell C. Fox.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Fox (Sidney) Glazer of Bethesda, Maryland; six nieces and nephews, Kathleen Mary-Helen (Ron) Ness of Rocklin, California, Abram (Meg Marshall) Glazer of Chicago, Jonathan (Christina Padgett) of Brooklyn, New York, Rachel (Scott) Stansberry of Lewistown, Montana, Saul (Melody) Glazer of Madison, Wisconsin, and Rebecca Glazer (Teo Moreno) of Bethesda; as well as many great-nieces, -nephews and friends.

In order for her family and friends to gather in her honor, a service and funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at Chateau Girardeau. Her ashes will be buried at Old Lorimier Cemetery following the service.

Online condolences can be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons is handling arrangements.