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Joanne Grace Hill Tarbox Styles, 98, Mount Morris

Joanne Grace Hill Tarbox Styles, 98, Mount Morris, died Saturday, March 5.

 

She was born Jan. 3, 1918, to Roger and Hortense Hill in Chicago.

 

In 1939, she married Hascy Tarbox. They were married for 52 years until his death in 1991.

 

The couple had two children, Melinda (Alfred) Reitman and Todd (Shirley) Tarbox, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

 

In 1994, she married Lee Styles. They were married for 10 years until his death in 2004.

 

For more than 30 years, the Hills owned and operated the Todd School for Boys in Woodstock until it closed in 1954. In addition to her siblings, Bette and Roger II, she shared her formative years with a Todd classmate, Orson Welles, who her parents came to regard as their foster son.

 

She was committed to social justice and contributing to the welfare of others. She taught elementary school at Todd, Milwaukee County Day School and Leaf River. She contributed her time and resources to politicians who shared her opinions on how best to bring about a more just and livable world.

 

Per her request, no formal services were held. She suggested planting a tree in her remembrance.

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