1913 - 2011

Warren - Mary Arthur Foster, 97, died Thursday, February 3, 2011, in St. Joseph Hospital.

She was born November 19, 1913 in Akron, Ohio. Her parents, Thomas Chrystal Arthur and Mary Cox Arthur immigrated from England and she was very proud of her English heritage. She was raised in Akron and graduated from Garfield High School.

On June 15, 1934, she and Ernest Lee Roy Foster were married. They shared sixty two years of marriage before he preceded her in death on June 21, 1996. She lived in Warren for 70 years. Mr. Foster was co-owner of Foster & Vencel Tire Sales and she was a full time homemaker.

Mary loved gardening and grew beautiful roses and flowers. Her gardens were enjoyed by her neighbors wherever she lived. She collected antique dolls and was very knowledgeable about the history of dolls, doll clothing and doll furniture. She was a charter member of the Warren Doll Club. She was very interested in the history of Warren and participated in tours of Kinsman house where she exhibited some of her dolls. She loved children and was a Girl Scout Leader and was involved in church and school youth activities. Mary was a voracious reader and enjoyed writing letters. She was a person who remembered many people with greeting cards for birthdays and special events. She delivered Mobile Meals for over thirty years. She was a member of Second Christian Church for over sixty years and most recently Central Christian Church was her church home.

Mary was the author of the motto for the 175th anniversary of Warren in 1974. The slogan imprinted on silver medallions read, "Warren--still building a proud heritage."

She will be lovingly remembered for the positive influence she made on her children and grandchildren. She has three children: E. Lee (Sandra) Foster, D.O., of Cortland, George A. (Margaret) Foster, of Lindenwold, NJ, and Evelyn M. (Richard) Fierer of Highland Heights, OH. She has nine grandchildren, Allan Lee Roy Foster, Susan R. (Gary Lehman) Foster, Brian R. (Debbie) Foster, Timothy (Lisa) Foster, Robert (Aubrie) Foster, Miles Fowler, Ian Fowler, Linda (Ron) Black and Karen (Eric) Johnson. She has nine great grandchildren: Caitlin, Michelle, Emily and Phoebe Foster, Corey Gordon, Michael Vaneman, Brody Black and Chase and Avery Johnson.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four sisters and two brothers. She was the last remaining survivor of her family. She also was preceded in death by her great grandson, Raymond Vaneman.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, 2051 E. Market st., Warren, OH 44484.

Calling hours will be 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with the funeral service at 1:00 pm, Monday, at Crown Hill Chapel Mausoleum in Vienna.