Eckle May Foster
- - Eckle May Foster who to many was known as "May" was born to the late Thomas and Elizabeth Givens in Clarendon Jamaica on July 4, 1929. She graduated from the Jamaican school system and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree of Nursing from Pace University. She received her Ph.D in Nursing from Indiana University.
May Foster came to the United States in 1956 when she married the late Joslyn Foster and continued her career as an RN at the Workmen's Circle Home for the aged in New York City. She had a passion for taking care of those who could not speak for themselves.
In 1976 she relocated to Poughkeepsie New York where she married the late Floyd J. Gilmore and became a member of the Beulah Baptist Church. She joined the staff at the Hudson River Psychiatric Center where she worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist III for over twenty-five years. She also worked at Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center, Taconic DDSO and for Hospice. She consulted for Sharon Hospital and was an adjunct professor for Dutchess Community College. She also loved to work with children who suffered from Autism and many of us remember one she was very fond of (we called him our little brother-Mark) who always asked "Is it Pizza Ready Yet?"
May Foster was hard working, loved to travel and had a green thumb. Many times you would find her sharing a cutting from one of her plants. She had so many plants, friends believed she had her own forest. She was known to work two jobs for most of her life, was a fashion enthusiast, and will be remembered for her exquisite taste in clothing.
She leaves to cherish her memories: SONS: Fenton McKenzie, Donovan Foster (Carmen), Derwin Foster (Cynthia), Giles Bonaparte, Floyd W. Gilmore (Hatsue). She was predeceased by her son Lloyd McKenzie, daughter Cynthia Joyce Gilmore and her sister Farris Givens. DAUGHTERS: Yvette Johnson (Theo), Derea "Tracy" Johnson (Joe Jr.), and Rochelle "Joey" Scott (Delroy).
GRANDCHILDREN: Emmanuel Gilmore, David Gilmore, Michael Gilmore, Malik Terrhopha, Dira Simmons (Tyrone), Steven Robinson, Nataisha Harvard, Nazeeh Shabazz (Maila), Rayvonne "Ray" Johnson (Ashley), Joy Robinson, Donovan "DJ" Foster, Kristyn Foster-Harris (Tremayne), James Love (Victoria), Joe Johnson III, Monique Scott, Courtney Johnson, Jazmyn Foster, Alyxander Foster (McCall), Danielle Johnson, and Tyson Bonaparte. She was pre-deceased by a granddaughter, Monique Tissiera.
Twenty two Great Grandchildren and three special friends, Hilda Folkes, Penny Lewis, and Annie Hunter along with a host of other friends.
Service Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 11:00 am Beulah Baptist Church 92 Catherine Street, Poughkeepsie, New York.
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Published in the Poughkeepsie Journal on Aug. 12, 2018
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