Mary Barricklow Foreman

Mary (Lou) Barricklow Foreman, 92, passed peacefully to her heavenly home on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Mary Lou was born in Pennsylvania to the late Frank G. and Georgia Leona Beatty Barricklow. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband of nearly 51 years, Charles E. (Chuck) Foreman and four brothers: Donald Jay Coughanour, Joseph Henry Barricklow, Johnny Beatty Barricklow, and Franklin Roosevelt Barricklow.
Mary Lou graduated from Dunbar Township High School in 1949 and went on to earn her Registered Nurse (RN) certificate and license from Pittsburgh's West Penn School of Nursing in 1957. She worked as a Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurse for several years at West Penn Hospital then transferred her skills to Connellsville Hospital where she was assistant head nurse.
Chuck and Mary Lou were married in 1961. When they had their first child in 1962, Mary Lou retired from nursing and became a stay-at-home mom. They had their second child in 1965, and her job expanded to include being a room mother, PTA member, Band Parent, carpool driver, volunteer school nurse, and first-rate parental cheerleader! Her children were never hesitant to volunteer her whenever a teacher solicited help for school events.
With everything else going on, she still made time to do the other things she loved. She enjoyed spending time at Henley Farms in Virginia Beach picking fruits and vegetables, then canning them to give away to family, friends, and doctors' office staffs. Plus, she liked sewing, crocheting afghans, and knitting dishcloths. Everyone was delighted to receive her jams, dishcloths, and congo bar cookies.
Mary Lou was a long-time member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and served for years in the nursery. She assisted with Vacation Bible School summer programs and supported Good News Clubs with Child Evangelism Fellowship. On top of all that, she was an avid New York Yankees fan and rarely missed watching a game. She flew the team flag proudly throughout the baseball season. Go Yankees!
Left to cherish her memory are her loving daughter, Charla Foreman Istenes and husband, Raymond R. Istenes, Jr. of Hagerstown, Maryland; her son, Mark M. Foreman and his wife, Lisa Ann Foreman, as well as her one and only grandchild, Sarah Elizabeth Foreman, all of Chesapeake, Virginia. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 5 pm to 7 pm. A service to celebrate Mary Lou's life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 2 pm with Elder Calvin Dunn officiating, followed by a reception for continued fellowship. She will be laid to rest with her husband in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, Tidewater Chapter, PO Box 9322, Chesapeake, VA 23321-9322 or Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3229 MacDonald Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Please visit GrahamFuneralHome.com to view the service if unable to attend, or to offer condolences to the family.