RITA FOSTER

1922 - 2015

Rita O'Leary Foster Sept. 9, 1922 - May 21, 2015 Beloved by family and friends, Rita Foster passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on May 21, 2015. Her faith, family and friends were of the greatest importance to her. Throughout her life she supported her husband's career, raised their children, and generously gave of herself to the community. Rita was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on September 9, 1922 to Agnes and Jerry O'Leary. Later she attended nurses training at Presentation College and married Charles H. Foster in 1942 to begin a family. At the end of WWII, they were stationed in El Paso, TX. where they decided to reside and to begin a home building and later a land development business. They enjoyed wonderful friends, much success, and travel in their 65 years of marriage. She is survived by her children, Sandra Kay Foster, Carol Foster Ikard of Austin, TX., Jan and John Charles Foster, Susan Jean Foster, Nancie Foster Brown of Marin County, CA., Karen and Robert Francis Foster, and Mary Rita Foster of Highlands Ranch, CO. Her husband and son Timothy Charles Foster preceded her in death. Her grandchildren who meant so very much to her include Jennifer and Frank Ikard III of Austin, TX., Simon and Jean Hunter Ikard Angove of Atlanta, GA., Erin and Charles Foster Ikard of Austin, TX., Luis and Megan Foster Rosas, Molly Foster of Dallas, TX., Brian and Shannon Stanford Seib of Round Rock, TX., John Michael Foster of Arlington, TX., Nicole and Benjamin Bohannon, Mathew Bohannon, Robert Foster, Hunter Foster of Las Cruces, NM., Elizabeth Wong of Austin, TX., Sophia Wong, Ryan Brown of San Francisco, CA., Justin Brown of Marin County, CA., Erin Brown of, Orange County, CA., Drew Foster, Sterling Foster, and Robert Price of Highland Hills, CO. She also enjoyed the pleasure of 10 great-grandchildren. Her surviving brother includes William O'Leary. Her deceased brothers include Keith O'Leary, Harlan O'Leary, Gale O'Leary and Gerald O'Leary. Her nieces, nephews, and cousins remember her fondly. Family was among her cherished and loved treasures. Her greatest joy was to be among her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren especially during Christmas and the Fourth of July. Rita valued her Catholic Faith and was known within the community for working tirelessly for the Sisters of Loretto, the expansion and enrichment of Loretto Academy and served as Loretto's PTA President for several terms. She contributed volunteer time to St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Jesuit High School. Her long time commitment was to the Daughters of Charity and Hotel Dieu Hospital where she served as a volunteer for 25 years. She taught catechism in Jesuit's Fr. Harold J. Rahm's program at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in the Segundo Barrio where she gave children a dime for learning the Our Father. Her class was among the most fervent. She was a member and officer of other organizations such as Christ Child Society, St. Joseph's Altar Society, and she enjoyed her long-time friends in Tuesday Night Club. On a special occasion, Mayor Jonathan Rogers gave her the Keys to the City award. She had the privilege of travelling worldwide and building and decorating several distinct homes built or remodeled by her husband. She was so blessed to be among the care of Dr. Branch Craige. In kind service to her at home were Pila Cobb, Maria Trillo, Rosario Trillo, Carolina Davila, and Xochitl Ramos, and Hospice El Paso who made her last years comfortable and healthy. She will be in our hearts and memory forever for giving us an example of a loving, laughing, giving, and forgiving person. Services celebrating Mrs. Foster's life will be a rosary May 26, 5-9:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home West and a funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 27, 2015 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 400 W. Sunset Drive. To share in the memories of Rita Foster, the family asks that donations be made to Loretto Academy, St. Matthew's Catholic Church, and St. Vincent de Paul's Society. Pallbearers will be grandsons and Honorary Pallbearers will be great grandsons.