Obituary of Betty Jo Fohr

Betty Jo Fohr 9/4/1921 - 8/17/2014 began her heavenly journey, a few days after suffering a stroke in her Tucson home. She was born in Gallina, New Mexico, the seventh of nine children of James Ira Hatch and Abigail Burnham Hatch. Betty Jo enrolled at the University of New Mexico at age 16 in 1938, and graduated in 1944; following a two year hiatus during which she taught eight grades of elementary school in a log cabin starting when she was 19 and living alone in a log cabin. In 1945, she married John Martin Fohr in Pasadena, CA and moved with him back to the Midwest, where they lived for nearly 50 years. Betty Jo was a career elementary school teacher, mostly kindergarten, teaching in Carbondale, Illinois for 30 years. While working, she also earned a Master's degree in Education from Southern Illinois University in 1966. Betty Jo had two sons, John Roger (who died in 1982) and Bruce of Tucson, who facilitated her move to Tucson in 1994, following the death of her husband in 1992. Fiercely independent, and perpetually happy, she lived alone in her own home and still drove at age 92. She is survived by her son, Bruce (Janet) Fohr; grandchildren, Robert (Christine) Fohr of Louisville, Kentucky and Emily Fohr of Tucson; her great- granddaughter, Madeline Elizabeth Fohr, who she learned of less than two weeks before her passing; her brother, John Thomas Hatch (Norma) of Grass Valley, CA; as well as hundreds of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Betty Jo was blessed to have been able to visit with many of her relatives during the last two weeks of her life at a Hatch Family Reunion in Utah. Betty Jo was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and a member of Pusch Ridge Christian Church, Tucson. More than anything, Betty Jo was a shining light of love, faith, and happiness. She never forgot any family member or friend's birthday. A Memorial/Celebration of her life will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Chapel (NE campus) at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2014. Donations to honor her memory may be made to Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, St. Andrew's Preschool, or any educational institution of your choice. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.