July 20, 1954 - June 7, 2013 Debra A. Foster (nee Wilske) passed away following a tragic accident at her home on June 7, 2013. Debbie was born 20 July 1954, and spent most of her youth traveling around the country as an Air Force "brat". After graduating from Cheney High School in 1972, Debbie proudly served her country as an Inventory Management Specialist for the 92nd Supply Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base. She excelled at her work, and was honored as Fairchild's Airman of the Month in 1974. It was while she was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base that she met and married John ("Fuzzy") Foster, her husband of 38 years. After leaving the Air Force, the family made their home in Greenacres, WA where they raised their 2 children. Debbie had a natural aptitude for nurturing plant growth, and she was known to bring home damaged or discarded plants that would gently be nursed back to health by her skilled hands. Her green thumb led to the creation of a business venture, Flowers Everlasting, in which she cultivated roses and other floral varieties that would then be prepared into potpourri, sachets, and dried arrangements. Debbie had a deep commitment to the service of others, and devoted much of her life to charity and compassionate work. She operated the "Stuffed With Love" project out of her home, which provided lovingly refurbished toys to over 30 domestic and international organizations, including Head Start programs, nursing homes, drug rehabilitation centers and homeless shelters. The project was built upon the belief that everyone - children and adults - should have a source of support and comfort in times of need, and her furry ambassadors brought smiles to the faces of many. She was a woman who lived her faith and extended loving-kindness to all, human and non-human, stranger or friend. Debbie's life was celebrated during a private ceremony at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, where her remains have been interred. Debbie is survived by her husband, John T. Foster; her 2 children, John C. Foster of Otis Orchards and Lorrie A. Pirnie of Tucson; her 4 beloved grandchildren, and many friends and family members.
Published in Spokesman-Review from July 19 to July 21, 2013
