Joy Ann (Ann) Fenimore, 88, a longtime resident of Rushville, passed peacefully Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, surrounded by family.
Ann was born April 17, 1938, in Crawfordsville, the daughter of Maurice and Clara (Miller) Gilkey. She was a 1956 graduate of Waynetown High School. She graduated with a nursing degree from Indiana University in 1960 followed by a master’s degree from Ball State University. Ann married Harold Leslie Fenimore on July 31, 1959, in Crawfordsville, and celebrated 57 years of a loving, faithful marriage until his passing in June 2017.
Ann started her career as a floor nurse at Rush Memorial Hospital and then worked most of her career as a dedicated school nurse at Rush County schools for 35 years. She was instrumental in developing both dental and vision screening programs in the schools. She was the school nurse of the year in both the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 school year.
Ann was a pianist and organist for St. Paul United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church in Rushville. She was also an accompanist for the Rush County Chorale from its first years and helped start the Children’s Choir. She loved that three of her granddaughters sang in the choir.
Ann was a Cub Scout Den mother out of duty, but she loved her social engagements with her Red Hat Society, Music Study Club, Rushville Water Club, PEO Meetings, and especially her reunions with her Waynetown classmates.
In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and flowers, crossword puzzles, and music.
Ann thoroughly enjoyed spending time with (and spoiling) her grandchildren and attending all grandkids’ activities and events. She especially loved organizing grandkid Christmas Eve concerts each year for extended family and close friends.
Ann is survived by her two sons, Dr. Craig Fenimore and Bruce Fenimore (Joni), both of Rushville; and her six grandchildren, Caleb (Alisha), Chelsea, Kera, Mariah (Randall), Hallie and Alexis. She also was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Landon and Quinn.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and daughter-in-law Carol Fenimore (d. 2023).
Ann’s family would like to thank her care givers at the Flatrock River Lodge nursing home for providing such wonderful, personal care and comfort in her time there. She also enjoyed receiving visitors.
A celebration of Ann’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at First Presbyterian Church in Rushville, with the Rev. Roy Peters presiding. Friends are welcome to visit with the family from 11:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. Private inurnment will take place in the Columbarium at Rushville’s East Hill Cemetery.
The family requests memorial contributions to the Rush County Community Foundation “Fenimore Family Community Fund” 117 N. Main St Rushville, IN 46173, the Rush County Chorale, or the donor’s favorite charity. Moster Mortuary entrusted with the arrangements.
