Elizabeth Doney

Elizabeth Ann Fox- Doney “Itha” made her entrance into heaven on April 10th 2022, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Hays. She was welcomed by her husband Clifford, her son Hank, her 4 grandchildren Kelli, Parker, Wilbur, and Mindy, and her daughter in law Carol “Riggy” Doney.

Elizabeth was born on September 6th, 1936 to Henry and Ruth (Powderface) Fox at Fort Belknap Hospital. She was one of 9 children. She grew up in Hays and graduated from Mission High School. She met the love of her life, Clifford Doney, at a dance in Hays. They were married on September 10, 1955. 10 children were born from this union. Clifford and Elizabeth raised their children on the family ranch in Hays. Clifford was a cattle man and Elizabeth raised the children in her younger years.

Elizabeth had a deep love for children. That love fed her passion to teach. She became a head start teacher and later decided to further her education and attend Dullknife College, where she earned her elementary education degree. She started teaching kindergarten at Hays Lodge Pole School. She then became the 1st grade teacher and spent 16 years doing what she loved. She educated numerous children in those years, and many still fondly remember “Mrs. Doney” She retired from Hays Lodge Pole Schools on June 3rd, 1992.

After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. You could bet that every morning she had pancakes going or her famous bowls of “Mush”. Elizabeth always cooked from scratch. Her and clifford spent all of their time together after their retirements and their favorite thing to do was play bingo, they never missed one. Elizabeth had a very expensive bingo bag and every color of dabber. 

Clifford passed away in November of 1999. Although she lost her best friend and life partner, she never stopped being the mother and grandmother her family needed. She Spent a lot of time with her special friends Margaret June “Granny” Martin, Bunny Peak, Val Chopwood, and Carol Kindness. 

She decided to go back to her teaching passion. She became a foster grandparent for the Fort Belknap  Head Start program in 2001. She stayed there for 20 years and received special recognition for her years of service. She retired in May of 2021.

Elizabeth enjoyed her casino time and could be seen playing the “5s” game. When illness struck, Elizabeth stayed close to home. She had her own CNA granddaughter Teeah, and her own EMT grandson Nate, who stayed by her side until she took her last breath. 

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ruth, her sister Nellie, brothers Ronnie, Melvin, and Henry Fox Jr.

Survivors include her daughters Marilyn (Calvin) Bigby, Jennifer Doney, Melissa (Louie) Jackson, and Marla (Stan) Roberts, sons Dale, Philip, Clarence, Kenneth (Marilyn), and Brett Doney, adopted children Joel Doney, and Daniel Henry, 27 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, a new great grandson to arrive April 14, sisters Marie Kuka of Birch Creek, MT, Mary (Delbert) Mendez of Mescalero, NM, Florence “Flossy” Fox of Hays and brother Jim (Krystal) Fox of Harlem.

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