Mary Catherine Foster

Mary Catherine Karpus Foster, 61, of Woodland Park, Co , passed away unexpected November 30, 2015. Mary was born at 8:16am on a breezy Chicago day to Richard and Arlene Karpus on September 8, 1953. She attended Ascension Grade School followed by Oak Park River Forest High School, graduating in 1971. She received her Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science in Education from Illinois State University. Mary worked as a guidance counselor touching the lives of many students for over 38 years. First beginning at Glenwood Junior High School in Chatham, IL followed by Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park, CO. As a counselor, Mary had a positive impact on the lives of many students and families in her communities. Mary along with two other WPHS staff members, was honored with a $1,000 scholarship in their names to be awarded to a deserving student who would attend Pikes Peak Community College. During her time at Glenwood Junior High, Mary was the sponsor to many classes on annual educational trips to Washington D.C. and established a long standing study skills program for middle school students. She also established Beta Club and their annual Thanksgiving food drive. Finally, Mary established the Jeff Drewes award. Jeff Drewes was a student of Mary's who experienced one of the DC trips and shortly afterwards passed away from cancer, and his parents continue to present the award to this day. Furthering her passion for education she spent her time at Woodland Park High school as a Kiwanis supporter and liaison to her community, founder of the Beta Club, through which she sponsored several community service programs including the Thanksgiving food drive and the Angel Tree program, and was the long term director of the district summer school program. She enjoyed hiking, traveling and exploring small towns, spending time with family, friends and beloved pets. Mary was unconditionally loving, supportive and a selfless free-spirit with a great deal of faith. She was one of a kind that can never be replaced in any of our hearts. Mary is survived by her son, Shane; mother, Arlene Karpus; sisters, Susan (John) Musinski, Deborah Fitzgerald, Loretta (Sam) Prindle; brother Richard (Faith) Karpus; former spouse, Rick Foster; beloved pet, Kahlua; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces, nephews and cherished friends. Mary is preceded in death by her father, Richard Karpus and her former mother-in-law, Eula Foster. Funeral, Saturday December 19th, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. from Russo's Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL 60162 (Between Mannheim and Wolf Road) to St. Matthew Church, 1555 Glen Ellyn Road, Glendale Heights, IL for an 11:00 a.m. Mass. Interment will be private. Visitation on Friday, December 18th, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For additional info call (708) 449-5300. Please visit Mary's personal tribute website at www.russohillsidechapels.com and sign her guestbook. Smile… Goodbye family and friends. My soul has taken flight. I'm entering the spirit world and, oh what a beautiful sight. Had I but imagined the beauty and love that is here, I would have came more willingly, and of death I'd have no fear. Happiness surrounds me. Such peace I've never known. I have the strongest feeling that I've returned back home. Should you be feeling sorrow, don't weep too long for me. Form earthly trials and suffering I am finally free. Goodbye family and friends. But only for a while. Live out your lives in happiness, and when you think of me SMILE