Poughkeepsie – Mary H. Foster, age 99, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at home in Poughkeepsie, NY. She was born on June 18, 1918 in Troy, Alabama to Herbert London and Mary (Worthy) London.
Mary grew up in Troy, Alabama. She graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama in 1936. After high school Mary attended Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama where she received an Associate’s Degree in 1938. Mary also received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in 1974 from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Mary married her high school sweetheart, Otis Foster Sr. in 1937 in Troy, Alabama. They relocated to Dutchess County NY and spent a short time in Dover Plains and then set up residence in Poughkeepsie NY. They were the proud parents of three lovely children.
Mary worked for Hudson River Psychiatric Center as a nurse for 37 years. Mary was a member of CSEA Local 1000 and she was elected as the union vice president and continued as a grievance representative until her retirement. She remained active with the CSEA Retirees Union for many years.
Mary was active in the community after her retirement and was a member of the local Red Hat Society, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, the City of Poughkeepsie Riverfront Committee and the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club. She was active in the Dutchess County Democratic Party and worked as a council person encouraging the community to vote. There was always a chance that you would see Mary working the polls on election day at Morse School in Poughkeepsie. Mary was also a community volunteer in the Poughkeepsie School District.
Mary loved to travel and traveled extensively all throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Even though Mary was a world traveler, she had a fondness in her heart for her home state of Alabama and her adopted state of New York.
Mary is survived by her son Otis (Carol) Foster Jr. of Southfield MI and her daughter and Anna M. (Robert) Ross of Poughkeepsie NY; her brother John London of Moreno Valley CA; her grandchildren Sommer Foster, Tamara Ross, Kevin Foster, Natasha (Serge) Absolu, Thomas Foster and Marc-Anthony Ross; her great-grandchildren, Katrina Hampton, William Chastang, Julian Absolu and Elijah Absolu; and a host of other nieces and nephews and other relatives and close friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary London; her brother, Oscar London of Cambridge MA; her son, Miron K. Foster; and her daughter in law, Juanita (Williams) Foster.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robin Flam and her staff, the staff at Hudson Valley Hospice, and the aides who lovingly cared for Mary.
Mrs. Foster will repose 10-11 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2 Winnikee Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. Funeral service 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Michael Bell will officiate. Interment at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, NY. .
