Mother Honors Late Daughter by Publishing Children’s Book She Wrote Before Her Death

A South Jersey mother is keeping her daughter’s memory alive by fulfilling a dream that was deeply important to her: becoming a published author.

Tess Fox passed away in 2024, but her creativity now lives on through a children’s book she wrote titled “Cheese Tales: Cheese and the Big Sneeze.” Her mother, Judi Fox, took on the emotional task of publishing the book as a tribute to her daughter’s life and passion for storytelling.

Judi Fox says completing the book was both heartbreaking and meaningful. She describes it as an honor to help her daughter’s words reach young readers, adding that while Tess is no longer physically present, her spirit is felt throughout the story.

The book is inspired by Tess’s adopted dog, Cheese, and follows a lighthearted and playful storyline meant to bring joy to children. Copies of the book are now available at the West Deptford Free Public Library, giving the community a chance to connect with Tess’s work.

Those closest to Tess say seeing the book come to life has been incredibly emotional. Her husband, Kevin Merkle, recalled watching Tess write the story and said the finished book represents both her creativity and her lasting legacy. He believes Tess would be proud to see her mother carrying her dream forward.

The book is available for purchase through Mascot Books, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tess Kathryn Fox Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship aims to support students while honoring Tess’s memory and the impact she had on those around her.

Judi Fox says the project has been bittersweet, but she hopes her daughter’s story continues to be shared. She believes Tess will live on through the book, through conversations sparked by it, and through the readers who discover her work.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.