Mary Beitia-Fox: A Life Remembered by Classmate and Fellow Bengal Tom Neel
Mary Beitia-Fox was a dear friend and fellow student at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï
Tom Neel
April 8, 2025
In this heartfelt tribute, ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï alumnus Tom Neel remembers the vibrant life, enduring friendship, and lasting impact of Mary Beitia-Fox—a beloved classmate, writer, teacher, and inspiration to many in the Bengal community.
Mary Beitia-Fox was a dear friend and fellow student at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï from 1984-1988. She remained at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï for her Master’s degree. While serving as the editor for ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï’s literary Journal at the time known as Ethos, she also taught English 101 Composition and volunteered supporting many student activities.
Mary had amazing energy—she encouraged and inspired my writing and my career which would carry me forward in life. Her friendship and warmth affected many students and faculty across campus. She had great depth and an unstoppable work ethic. As undergraduate students, we had a wonderful time at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï with the fantastic professors of the era providing us with intellectual adventure and contributing to the amazing ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï campus life.
Mary worked as a hostess at Elmer’s and had several positions around town in those years. Mary later became a reporter for the Pocatello Newspaper and also reported for Wyoming local papers.
During her time at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï she met and married Ken Fox. Ken and Mary went on to distinguished and devoted careers at Tacoma Community College where they had a wonderful family of three children. Anyone who knew her sustained a severe blow with the knowledge of her recent passing. She was loved and deeply adored by ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï and the wider Pocatello community.
We never expect someday we will read our closest friends’ obituaries. Mary’s passing reminded me of life’s brevity and wonderful reward. On hearing of her death, I could only think of the joy of knowing her and the privilege of calling someone like her a friend. I think of the terrible grief sustained by her family and friends and everyone she touched.
Mary’s obituary can be