Kitty Fox
Born September 18th, 1946 - Died May 28th, 2015
With enormous sadness at her passing and immeasurable joy at having known her in life, we wish to commemorate the life of Kitty Fox, who was a mother, a grandmother, and a friend to the many and varied people who basked in the warmth of her essence and gained wisdom from her ever keen intellect.
Kitty Fox was born in 1946 to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fox in Rochester, New York. She attended Victor Central High School along with her two brothers and went on to attend the State University of New York in Buffalo, where she studied psychology. She was also a recognized and gifted musician.
Whilst on holiday Belize in the mid 80's Kitty fell in love with our country and moved lock, stock and barrel to Placencia in 1985. At that time there were only three small hotels on the peninsula and Kitty entertained a vision to build beach front accommodations. She opened "Kittys Place" in 1987 with three rooms, a restaurant, and the very first dive shop in Placencia where Kitty provided the first scuba diving classes for Placencia's local guides in 1990 with training provided by Larry Parker.
Kitty's Place was a popular local hangout offering the first televised sports events where the villagers of Placencia could see boxing, the World Cup and American football. With her partner Ranny Villanueva, the couple also developed French Louie Caye into a remarkable private island retreat. Kitty was one of our early tourism pioneers who was having an extraordinary adventure, and through her efforts made it possible for others to enjoy the same.
Journalist Lan Slauder called Kitty's Place "a casual, barefoot kind of place. Not fancy but just about perfect" Tom Brokaw called Kitty's "a no hassle get-away in a beautiful place". French Louie Caye delivered an experience that was at the very least fantastic, and could also be completely life changing.
Kitty was no stranger to hard work and continued working throughout the course of her life in many occupations including land and resort development, the food industry and her last occupation as an insurance broker with RF&G. She was also a member of several tourism and business associations as well as being an active promoter of sound environmental practices for her beloved Placenca.
Winston Churchill once said,
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give".
The fact that Kitty lived a full life is clearly expressed by the messages of condolence received by friends and family from every corner of the globe.
On behalf of the family, we want to thank you all for sharing this time with us. Your kind notes and thoughtful messages are a tribute to Kiity, and a true demonstration of a life well lived.
Having said that, it is also important to express how difficult it is to say goodbye to someone who has been such a significant part of our lives, and now that she is gone, we feel a big hole where Kitty used to be.
As a devout Buddhist, Kitty followed the teaching of the prophet Buddha who said:
"My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct experience.
My teaching is a means of practice, not something to hold onto or worship.
My teaching is like a raft used to cross the river.
Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already reached the other shore of liberation."
That's good advice and especially appropriate at a time like this - a time when we are overwhelmed with our emotions. Feelings of loss, denial, anger, grief, and remorse are common and natural. But they can leave us feeling tossed about, like a boat on rough waters.
Experience those emotions but anchor your trust in your faith and know that Kitty was prepared for her death and treated her sickness and impending transition with dignity and acceptance.
Kitty was truly a woman of great faith, as those who knew her can attest, and there's room even on days like these � especially on a days like these, for that to bring us a measure of comfort.
During this difficult time, let us remember the good memories we have of Kitty. By holding on to these memories, we can focus on the good times we had together, and help each other find comfort.
And more than anything else, Kitty was a kind and caring woman of strong principles who loved her children unconditionally.
And lest we loose ourselves in sad and sober tribute, may we also toast a woman who could throw one hell of a party, dance like a dervish, sing like a sailor and laugh with abandon.
It's hard to say goodbye to someone who had a big impact on our lives. It's always hard to lose someone you know, to let go of her and move on. But if we keep those good memories in our hearts and minds, we can find comfort, and Kitty will always be with us.
In closing, we would like to share another simple and profound passage from the book of Proverbs;
"The memory of a good person is a blessing."
We think about this passage when we think of all of Kitty's friends and associates and know that we are looking out at scores of wonderfully blessed people. We know this because we believe God keeps his promises and we know, lying here before us is a Good Woman.
A model for us all.
In our hearts and thoughts and prayers Kitty will remain, and we will be blessed for it.
Thank you all once again from Kitty's partner - Randolf Villanueva of Placencia, brother - Robert A Fox of New Jersey, Children - Jason Erwin Priebe along with his wife Patty, and Maija Lee Priebe, and grandchildren- Kylon Priebe, Zeke Arnold and Indra Haulze of Colorado. Kitty is predeceased by her parents and younger brother.
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