Jacquelyn S. “Jacie” Foster, 86, of Mansfield, died Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. Born January 28, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of Dwight R. and Mary Ruth (Dedrick) Smith.
Jacie graduated from John Marshall High School in 1946 where she was the Salutatorian of the class. She then went on to Baldwin Wallace, Berea, Ohio, graduating in 1949 as the Valedictorian receiving a Bachelor degree, then attending the Fletcher School of International Law (Tufts/Harvard), Boston, Massachusetts in 1949 where she was awarded a full scholarship. Jacie then went on to receive her Masters degree in History from Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio in 1952.
She was a medical records librarian at Grace Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio while attending John Marshall High School and Baldwin Wallace where she was also the assistant to the Director of Admissions. Jacie married her childhood sweetheart in June 1951 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Lt. Robert L. Foster who was stationed with the United States Marine Corp in Quantico, Virginia. While in Fredericksburg, she worked at Mary Washington Hospital. Following Bob’s Marine service, they moved back to Cleveland and then to Chippewa Lake until 1955 when they moved to Mansfield. At that time, Bob became a partner with Tom Mowry at Mowry’s Insurance Agency. In 1960, Jacie took a position at Lexington High School where she taught History retiring in 1988. “Although teaching wasn’t my original intent, the 28 years at Lexington High School were wonderful. I enjoyed the kids as well as my associates (staff). Each day brought new challenges and a smile to my face.” She was named a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar in Education.
During her life, she dealt with polio at the age of 3 and as an adult she was diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome and spent the last 10 years in a wheel chair.
Jacie traveled the United States extensively as well as around the world. She was a member of the Western Reserve Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Ohio, the Retired Teachers of Richland County and the Ohio Retired Teachers Association.
She was a loving mother and grandmother and her family meant the world to her ~ she will be greatly missed.
Surviving are a son, Kim (Sue) Foster; a daughter, Susie Hale; a daughter-in-law, Lynn Foster; grandchildren, Dr. Scott (Jennifer) Foster, Brian Foster, Dr. Erin Foster and Martin Foster; and great grandchildren, Jacquelyn and Alexis Foster.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Foster; a son, Mark Foster; a son-in-law, Jim Hale; and a special aunt, Georgianna Dedrick.
Jacie’s wishes were to be cremated and she asks that family and friends take a moment to remember and reflect on her generosity, willingness to help others and her pride and love in her family.
Jacie’s thought ~ “This has been a life well lived.”
II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lexington Academic Boosters.
The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is handling arrangement for Jacquelyn S. Foster.
Online guest registry at www.wappner.com
