PHYLLIS (GAY) FOSTER
1932 – 2013
It is with great sadness that the family
announces the passing of our beloved mother, Gay Foster on Thursday, September
26, 2013 at the age of 81 years.
Mom was a model of perseverance and strength
as she lived the last 18 years with various on-going cancers. As she courageously endured her setbacks, she
continued to pass along an ever-loving and ever-giving spirit to her
family. We all knew how much we were
loved.
Born in Selkirk, MB, Mom was the youngest daughter
of Judge Frank and Mary Newman. After
her primary school years were spent in Selkirk, she attended Rupert's Land
College in Winnipeg, where as a border, made many life-long friends. After an
initial start in Interior design at U. Of M., she switched career paths and
became a radiology technician at Winnipeg General Hospital. Mom loved and thrived in the hospital
setting.
Mom spent her early years playing tennis and
badminton where she met Art, her loving husband of 53 years. Children, Christine and John followed shortly
thereafter. She devoted her next 25
years to her family with special memories of the cottage at Whytewold
Beach. Mom’s hobbies included golf,
tennis, sewing, gardening, bridge, decorating and curling. She loved her
volunteer work with the CNIB and Chapman School Reading Program. She was an active member of the St. James
Anglican Church and enjoyed the friendships of her PEO Chapter H sisters.
In 1979 Mom made a decision to head back into
the work force. With no practical experience other than being a mother and
possessing an exceptional gift for reading people, backed by strong intuition
and a knack for getting to the bottom of things - she became a private
investigator for insurance claims. This
was a career that she excelled at for the next 10 years.
Upon her and Dad's retirement, until illness
first struck in 1995, they both enjoyed wonderful vacations, the company of
lifelong friends and perhaps most importantly being surrounded by her children
and grandchildren. Mom and Dad both suffered life changing illnesses and we
were incredibly inspired as we watched the devotion between the two as they
cared for each other during these times.
Dad never left Mom's side in the early years of her being hospitalized
and Mom spent every day for 9 years caring for Dad in the nursing home.
Mom’s kindness was an inspiration and a
lifelong lesson to her children Christine (Brian Boult) and John (Lori Sault),
grandchildren - Kyle, Joanna, Jonathon and Ashley and great grandson, Mason.
Also
to mourn her loss is her sister Christine McCarthy, nieces Martha Gay and Liz
and cousin Jean McRae. She was predeceased by her parents Frank and Mary Newman
and her beloved husband Art.
The family would like to thank her many
friends who provided loving comfort as well as their heartfelt gratitude to the
exceptional nursing staff on 3 South at the Grace Hospital. A special thank you
to Dr. Joshua, Dr. George and her long-time Oncologist, Dr. Brandes.
Respecting Mom's wishes, a private family
service will be held.
In her
memory, donations may be made to The Grace Hospital Foundation at 300 Booth Drive
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7 or a charity of one's choice.
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7 or a charity of one's choice.
Wojcik’s
Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204 – 897 –
4665, wojciksfuneralchapel.com.
The day was long, then night,
then morn.
I knew that soon you would be gone,
I clasped your hand so warm in mine,
Soon we would be out of time,
To stay with us you fought so hard,
A million pieces went my heart.
I knew that soon you would be gone,
I clasped your hand so warm in mine,
Soon we would be out of time,
To stay with us you fought so hard,
A million pieces went my heart.
Wojcik’s
FUNERAL
CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
2157
PORTAGE AVENUE
204
– 897 - 4665
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
No comments:
Post a Comment