Fon Diane McConnell

Fon was born on September 25, 1960 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Marlene (Taylor) Ketchum and Robert Duncan Jr. Fon was raised initially on the family's ranch before moving with her Mother to Casper.

After Graduating from Kelly Walsh High School, Fon continued working in Casper at Ayer’s Jewelry and later at Wyoming Racquet Club.

Fon had her only child, Jennifer Lynn Jackson with Jack Lane Jackson. Jennifer was the true and brightest light of her life.

In 1989, Fon married Jess D. McConnell and they enjoyed an adventure-filled 33 year marriage. They, with Jennifer, lived in New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana and after Jennifer started college, they lived abroad for 14 years in Venezuela, Canada, and Australia before returning to Houston, Texas where they retired in 2016.

Fon loved adventure travel with her family, and she was an exceptional athlete in tennis, mountain biking, and distance running including multiple marathons. Even after her cancer diagnosis, Fon remained committed to fitness and exercise inspiring those around her including her oncologist who took up running.

Fon had a unique ability to connect with people and especially children. Her smile could brighten any room, and her spirit and humor was infectious. Her sincere kindness was especially evident when she came in contact with those in need.

Fon was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Duncan III, her uncle, Mark Taylor, and her former husband Jack Lane Jackson. She is survived by her husband Jess, daughter Jennifer, her parents and her sisters, Mitz Smolik of Colorado and D’Ann Shaffer of Idaho.

Services will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston, Texas and will include a evening visitation with service the following morning.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to MD Anderson where Fon was treated, or PanCAN who sponsored the clinical trial that gave us 6 more months with her.

Also, please shop on www.amazon.com and order PK-5 children's reading book(s) and ship to us.The books will be donated to Books Between Kids, a local Houston organization that provides at-risk children with books to build their own home libraries.

DonationLinks and address for shipping are shown below.