Jenny Fox
Inverell’s Moira Rose.
21/11/50 - 17/8/23
Born Jennifer Ann Sorrell on 21/11/1950 in Warrnambool to Nancy and Ken Sorrell where upon she became the little sister to adored big sister Sue.
Her early years were spent on the family dairy in Koroit, Victoria. Just after Jenny turned 4 the family moved to QLD for a brief stint before settling in Bukulla and travelling to her beloved Inverell for school.
Jenny married the love of her life Leon in 1971 and raised 2 beautiful sons Allen and Tim at their home in Ross Hill. Jenny & Leon’s place in Inverell was a constant
Family meant the world to Jenny and her definition of family extended to all those in her life. Whether you were related, work friends or one of her treasured students you were beloved family.
Please enjoy this page as a celebration of a remarkable woman.
Young Jenny and her adored bigger sister Sue.
Jenny and her mum Nancy in The Sorrell family band. They performed at dances and weddings around the Inverell district.
Jenny's Grandparents Gran and Pop Howell used to come few weeks holiday despite the fact that they only lived in Froud St ( a few streets away )
Jenny in Oklahoma!
Modelling some of Leia Fashions. Jenny was always ready to jump in and help people around town. Especially for good causes.
Jenny met the love of her life, her darling Leon at a Church Youth group. Those who eat together stay together.
They wed on 17th April 1971 at the Inverell Uniting Church with a reception at the Masonic Hall.
In 1973 Jenny and Leon took Allen on an adventure in Hong Kong where Leon raced in the Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup and stayed for almost 8 years.
In 1975 whilst still in Hong Kong Jenny gave birth to Tim, rounding out their beautiful family.
They continued their adventures in Hong Kong for another few years before returning to Inverell.
Jenny reenacting scene from My Fair Lady.
Over the next few years they added Allen and Tim to their loving Inverell Family. This is Ken holding Tim , Jenny, Gran & Pop, Ma Sorrel and Nancy Sorrel holding Allen.
Jenny in My Fair Lady
Jenny and Leon at the English Derby at Epsom in London. Jenny carried this hat all the way on the flight and has held on to it to this day.
Family Photoshoot down on the Inverell Riverbank. Leon & Jenny with Tim (Left) & Allen.
Leon looking unimpressed with Jenny in Sydney at a Pat Boon concert.
Always the Entertainer
Jenny entertained Inverell through Music and Drama for over 55 Years. Starting in a family band 'The Sorrell Family band' they would perform at local events where Jenny was the drummer & singer.
Jenny was also a member of Entertainers or IMADS and performed in
My Fair Lady
South Pacific
Oklahoma
The Sound of Music
The King and I
Oliver
Annie
Witness for the prosecution
And countless other productions with either the community or with the schools.
Jenny spent more than 40 years teaching Music & Drama to over 1000 students. Many students have shared their memories of time spent in the front Piano room or practicing on the front verandah. Jenny had a unique way of making everyone feel special and included and believed that no lesson was complete until a child had the chance to perform before an audience.
Jenny was a Lifetime member of the Inverell Eisteddfod Society where she was the Speech & Drama Co-Ordinator for many years.
Even after retiring from stage in 2014 Jenny continued to support Performance based arts within our community through her teaching which she continued to do until the week before she passed.
Not content to just entertain on stage, Jenny would often bring Christmas to life in her front yard and hold carols for anyone wanting to celebrate the Christmas cheer.
Jenny’s Family
Whilst Jenny loved entertaining and performing her favourite role was as Wife, Sister, Mother, Aunt & Grandmother. Surprisingly we don’t have a lot of video footage of Jenny as she was usually the one filming, you can always here the joy and love in her voice though.
Jenny with son Allen and best friend Jen McFadden.
Leon, Jenny, Allen (Middle) and Tim
Jenny & sister Sue
Jenny and Grandson Sam
Jenny and Grandson Chris
Jenny & Leon with Hong Kong Family Elaine, Helen & Yvonne Ho.
Tim, Leon and Jenny climbing the Bridge
Nieces Deb & Jen ( Left & Right ), Sister Sue and Niece in law Jo. In Breckenridge
Left to right: Jenny, Leon, Jenny and Sue's dad Gucky (Ken) , Sister Sue, son Tim and Nephew Tom.
Jenny and Jen
Leon and Jenny whooping it up on a cruise ship in Greece.
Left to right : Grandson Sam, Grandson Chris, Granddaughter Julia and Jenny
Jenny with Tim's partner and Son in Law Matt
Fun Memories and stories of jenny
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Whilst in Hong Kong, Jenny and Leon didn't just attend Horse Races, they got to see some amazing live acts including Sarah Vaughan and Sammy Davis Jnr. Tim says the most exciting thing from Hong Kong was his birth but honestly...how can you go past Sammy Davis Jnr.
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On her way to Guyra Jenny decided to do some fishtailing on the dirt road and managed to roll the Austin 1800 into a ditch. I asked Leon if he had to go and get her and the response was "Oh I think I did eventually, I was at the races". Until he arrived she found some lovely people who took her in and gave her some wine to calm her nerves.... oh how times have changed.
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Jenny was a mad sports fan
Jenny would decorate the house in Green and Gold at the drop of a Hat so Olympic and Commonwealth games were a special time for her.
Realistically though Jenny loved all sports especially
Tennis
AFL / VFL
Cricket
She also loved playing sports, especially Squash. When younger Jenny was an amazing squash player, unfortunately ill health made this impossible later in life.
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When Leon needed to lose weight before a race Janny would wrap him in plastic and play squash against him until he was nothing more than a skeleton in a garbage bag.
Honours, Awards & Achievements
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PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
In 2020 The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International named Jenny a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW for her dedicated service to the Inverell community.
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30 Years of Service
Jenny was recognised for 30 years of dedicated service at the Ross Hill Public School Canteen. Jenny is also a Lifetime member of the NSW Canteen association.
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Lifetime Member Inverell Jockey Club
???? When did she get this. ???
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Over 1000 Students
Jenny spent over 40 years teaching Music & Drama to more than 1000 students
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Lifetime Member Eistedford Society
Information here
Jenny’s extended family. Her Students
Play it again | No Umms | Is that your second piece of cake?
〰️
Play it again | No Umms | Is that your second piece of cake? 〰️
Jenny loved her students as much as she loved her family. To Jenny, her students WERE her family and she was so immensely proud of each and every one of you. Please send us any stories, memories or pictures you would like to share.
In Memory
Our beautiful Jenny left us in August 2023. Whilst she has left an enormous hole in our lives and the lives of all those she met. Jenny has left us with the most amazing memories and a strong sense of family. Every time we see a beautiful rose or the smell of either Chanel #5 or Elizabeth Arden’s Beautiful we know she is smiling down at us.
Thank you for visiting Jenny
Tell Us your story
We would love to hear any stories or see any pictures you might have with Jenny. Use the below button to email The Fox Family Memories . Send us your story below or if you would like to send pictures please email thefoxfamilymemories@gmail.com