Lorraine Rita (Barbe') Foster

Lorraine Rita (Barbe’) Foster, formerly of Laurel, MS, and Ukiah, CA, passed away Sept.8, 2011, in Sunnyvale, CA. at the age of 89. Lorraine was born in Abita Springs, LA, and moved to Laurel in 1936 to live with her sister Gladys (Barbe’) Carlos and family. Lorraine graduated from Laurel High School in 1939 and earned an AA degree from Jones County Junior College in 1941. She married William (Bill) Gordon Foster, also of Laurel, in 1941 and they shared their lives together until his death in 1991. During their early marriage Bill was in the Army Air Force and Lorraine traveled with him to various US Army camps, returning to Laurel when Bill was shipped overseas. After the war, Bill and Lorraine settled in Laurel except for two years at Mississippi State College while Bill earned an engineering degree. In 1951, Bill and Lorraine and their two children, Bill Jr (born 1944) and Pat (born 1946) moved to Ukiah, CA, where they remained for the next 13 years while Bill advanced in the Ukiah branch of the Masonite Corporation and Lorraine participated in many church and community activities. In 1964, Bill and Lorraine moved to Vancouver, BC, where Bill pursued a consulting engineering career. In addition to accompanying Bill on extensive business trips to Europe, South America, and Asia, Lorraine went back to school, earning a B.A. in History from the University of British Columbia at the age of 60. In 1999 Lorraine returned to Ukiah, CA, to be closer to family, moving for the last time to Sunnyvale, CA, in 2009. Lorraine will be remembered for her strong will and energetic personality. Though endowed with a mind of her own, she was also charming and generous. Lorraine loved children, animals, and gardening. Throughout her life, she contributed to her community, volunteering at churches, schools, community groups, and museums. In her younger days she was a pretty-good bridge player and golfer. And, with her dark eyes, red hair, and wide smile, she was a delight to be around, a quality that remained with her even in old age. Her many friends and relatives will miss her. Lorraine is survived by son William G. Foster, Jr, and daughter-in-law Susan Foster, of Sunnyvale, CA; granddaughter Angela Foster Storey, grandson-in-law Scotty Storey, and great-grandchildren Alastair and Spencer Storey, of San Jose, CA; grandson Brian Foster and his fiancé Christina Borsum, of San Carlos, CA; daughter Patricia L. Foster and her fiancé Andrew Hanson, of Bloomington, IN; nephew Carl Carlos and wife, Jean Carlos, of Laurel, MS; niece Joan (Carlos) Beauchamp of New Orleans; niece Anne Marie (Carlos) Smith of Birmingham, AL; niece Jeanne (Carlos) Simpson of Crossville, TN; and numerous grand- nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Saturday October 8th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Laurel, MS, with burial in Hickory Grove Cemetery. Father Mike Thorton will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Mary’s School Foundation,493 S. Highland Ave, Ukiah, Ca. 95482.

Lorraine Rita (Barbe') Foster

September 8, 2011