JoAnn Foster

FOSTER, JoAnn, 83, a native of Tampa, died on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at her nursing home in Virginia. She was a proud member of the Hillsborough High School Class of 1949 and its Head Cheerleader. JoAnn also served as a 1949 Junior Gasparilla Queen, riding atop the City Of Tampa float. She then starred in the original, circa-1950 production of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce video titled, "Welcome To Tampa." JoAnn also attended the University of Tampa and resided primarily in Tampa until 2004. She enjoyed spending time in her other family homes, built by her beloved husband, Ken, in the Cayman Islands and in the mountains of North Georgia. JoAnn moved to Northern Virginia in 2012 to be near her son, Kirk and daughter-in-law, Shirley. Her joys in life were being a wife, mother, sister, homemaker, church member, and friend to many in the Tampa area. She is predeceased by her husband, Ken Foster, and survived by her sons, Brigg and Kirk; by her six grandchildren, Shannon, Brigdon, Bennett, Susanna, Caroline, and Alex; and by her great-grandchild, Marlowe.

The family will hold a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Humane Society of North Tampa in honor of Joann's love for animals.