Mary Fox Maxson

Mary Fox Maxson passed away late in the evening on July 2, 2018, a few weeks before her 104 ^th birthday.  She was born August 4, 1914, in South Lebanon, Ohio, to Grover C. Fox and Rebecca (Snook) Fox.  She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Elizabeth Camp, James Fox, and John Fox.  She was a championship high school basketball player, a graduate of Miami University, and a dedicated high school teacher in various communities in southwest Ohio prior to WWII.  She joined the Women's Army Corps. (WAC) in 1942, one of the first women to do so, and is believed to have been the oldest living woman to have served in the United States Army.  Following Basic Training at Fort Des Moines (IA), she served at Fort Oglethorpe (GA), Army Air Base, Colorado Springs (CO), and Pratt Army Airfield (KS).  She was honorably discharged in 1945 as a 1 ^st Lieutenant having served as a nutritionist, base food services manager, and personnel officer.  She met Capt. Webster P. Maxson at Pratt Army Airfield and they were married June 6, 1945, on the base.  They celebrated nearly 59 years of marriage before his passing in 2004.  Following their service in the Army, her husband attended law school and was hired by the federal government as an attorney.  They moved the family to Bethesda, MD, where she lived in the same house for 57 years before moving to a local senior living center.  She was active in the Bethesda United Methodist Church, the Bethesda YMCA, the Bethesda Garden Club, and other service organizations.  Mrs. Maxson and her husband were founding members of Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, MD, and both were avid golfers.  In 2014 she moved to DeKalb, IL, to be closer to children and grandchildren.  She is survived by her three children: John (Jennifer) Maxson of Riverwoods, IL, Mary Lake of DeKalb, IL, and Anne Pendrak of Floyd, VA, and six cherished grandchildren Pres (Mollie) Maxson, Liz Maxson, Amanda (Bradley) Nelson, Travis Lake, Jay (Brynn) Pendrak, and Daniel Pendrak.  Her beloved great-grandchildren include Cecelia, Josephine, and George Maxson, Caroline, Daniel, and Ethan Nelson, and Benjamin Pendrak.  She leaves behind a large circle of other dear family members and friends. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home, and burial of cremains will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. A memorial service will also be planned for a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115, (815) 758-3841.