Margaret Mary Foster

margaret foster
OUR VALENTINE Margaret Mary Foster passed from death to Life just before 3pm on Valentine’s Day - Monday, February 14. She was 98 years old. She died at her home at the Mission of Divine Mercy in Canyon Lake while five members of her family were praying the Rosary around her. Born Margaret Mary O’Connor in 1923, she grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa., the second of nine children born to Edward and Alethaire O’Connor. She graduated from college in 1945 and began a brief teaching career. In 1946 her cousin introduced her to a tall Kentucky gentleman who had returned from WWII and who was quickly smitten. She married Ruel Foster in1947 and they settled in Morgantown, W.Va., where he had begun a job as an English professor at West Virginia University. There they raised six children (who even as senior citizens are already missing their Mom); there they spent the next 52 years of their life together until her husband died of a massive heart attack in 1999 when she was turning 75. This was undoubtedly the hardest blow she had ever received; but she grieved quietly, continued to place her trust in the Lord, and moved forward one day at a time into the new vocation of widowhood. She lived that solitary life for ten years before, at 85, joining the majority of her children in a ‘new and alien land’ - Texas! (Which, actually, she became very fond of.) Living on the grounds of the Mission of Divine Mercy, with and close to family, she made new friends and participated in the prayers and activities of the Mission for a decade. In the final years her health began to fail; she found herself less and less able to be part of things, and to maintain the autonomy that she’d had. This was not easy. But once again she grieved quietly, continued to place her trust in the Lord, and to move forward one day at a time. During the last several months of her life she became bedridden and required increasing care. But she never ceased to try to offer to the Lord whatever she was called to live. In many ways Margaret was herself a living Valentine; a loving and lovely presence in the world for her family and her friends. But above all she was the Lord’s. And on Valentine’s Day He claimed her and took her Home. Amen. She is survived by her six children: Russ (and Eugenia); Mother Magdalene, MDM; David (and Lynn); Emily Foster Jebbia; Father John Mary, MDM; and Paul. By three grandchildren: Amanda Foster; Jason (and Tanza) Foster; and Brother Mikael Jebbia, MDM. And by four great-grandchildren: Cameron; Jazmine; Zaaron; and Daniel. She is also survived by three siblings: Fr. Edward O’Connor, Eileen O’Connor Karl, and Dr. Joseph O’Connor. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM on Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Mission of Divine Mercy, 1531 Indian Chief Trail, New Braunfels, TX 78132. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Mission of Divine Mercy, with interment to follow at St. Joseph Chapel Cemetery, which is located on the church grounds. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Mission of Divine Mercy.

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  1. We are very sorry to hear of your loss! Our sincerest condolences. She is a great Mom of a wonderful family! Duff Family

  2. In the 60’s, my mother Mary Jane Lemley worked in the English Department for Dr. Foster. She had the greatest respect for the Foster’s. I have many memories of visiting Armstrong Hall when I was barely a teen and the awesome professors who taught there. I lost my mom this year too. You have my sympathy. Rosemary

  3. Everyone in our family has fond memories of Mrs. Foster. She was always so kind to all of us. She will always have a special place in our hearts. We thank God for having the opportunity to have known her.

  4. May God wrap you in His arms to bring you comfort at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Faini and Saab and Muttillo Families in Morgantown

  5. Birthright of Morgantown in West Virginia wishes to extend our sympathy to the family and loved ones of Margaret Foster. She was instrumental in organizing our Birthright chapter and we are deeply grateful to her for her continuous support through the years. We will keep your family in our prayers.

  6. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have only fond memories of Mrs. Foster. She was such a kind woman. I remember when Paul told me that she sometimes raised her voice at him. I was shocked. I still don’t believe it could be true. May Holy Spirit comfort all of her family and friends.

  7. Thank you to everyone who wrote a tribute, sent a card, or spoke to us about Mom’s life and death. Thanks also to those who heard and remembered her or said a silent prayer. Mom was, perhaps like your mother, so genuinely humble that she never acted like her life was extraordinary or important. But it was.


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