Loretta L. Fox

Loretta passed away on June 10, 2026, in Rockledge, Florida.

Early Life and Education

Loretta L. Fox was born on December 27, 1938, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She grew up on a farm and was the eldest child to 3 brothers. She graduated from Salem Central High School in Paddock Lake, Wisconsin, in 1956. Loretta held the distinction of being the first student to register at the new high school, an occasion that was recognized with her photograph in the newspaper.

She graduated from Racine-Kenosha Teachers College in 1958 and began her teaching career that same year at Wheatland Elementary School in Wisconsin.

Family Life

Loretta married Jerome Fox in December 1959. The couple moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, for two years while Jerome served in the Army, then returned to Wisconsin, where Loretta resumed teaching at Wheatland. Their daughter, Lisa, was born in April 1964, and their son, Jon, was born in March 1966.

A Life Devoted to Teaching and Music

Loretta spent six years substitute teaching in Kenosha County and also taught music part-time at Riverview School in Silver Lake, Wisconsin. In 1967, she began teaching 2nd grade full-time at Riverview, a role she cherished for 30 wonderful years. During those years, she also taught piano lessons in her home after school and accompanied high school students at competitions.

Continuing Education

Loretta continued her education and earned her Master of Science in Teaching in 1988 and ultimately a PHD in Gifted Education in 1993.

Retirement and New Beginnings in Florida

After retiring from teaching in Wisconsin in 1997, Loretta moved to Melbourne, Florida, to be near her daughter and granddaughter. One month later, she began teaching kindergarten at Suntree United Methodist Church School, where she taught for four years. She then taught music part-time at the church for another four years while establishing her

own business, The Creative Music, Art, & Learning Center in Melbourne, which opened in 2000.

The center continued to flourish with Loretta serving as owner, director, and teacher of piano, voice, and harp. Other local teachers later joined her, expanding the center’s offerings to include violin, guitar, and drum lessons. The business thrives to this day with 150 students in attendance.

Family, Friends, and Legacy

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Ermina and Quentin Ellingson; her daughter, Lisa Fox Foleno; and her brother, Jim Ellingson. She is survived by her son, Jon Fox (Kathy); grandson, Ryan Fox (Belinda); granddaughter, Capri Foleno; great-granddaughter, Sierra Fox; great-grandson, Leo Fox; and brothers, Ed and Don Ellingson.

Loretta treasured time with family and friends and loved teaching children and adults alike. She enjoyed Brevard Symphony Orchestra concerts and local music events. Through her love of music, teaching, and life, she touched many lives in lasting and meaningful ways.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 15th from 2pm – 4pm at Serenity Venue, 3980 Sarno Rd, Suite 103, Melbourne FL. We invite all who knew and loved Loretta to join us in honoring her memory.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to honor Loretta’s legacy of learning and teaching by seeking out new knowledge, pushing beyond the boundaries of the known, and sharing these insights with others. This, we believe, would be the best tribute to her extraordinary life.