Elizabeth K. Foster

On January 31, 2012, a beautiful angel, Elizabeth Kowalski Foster, was welcomed into heaven. She was greeted by our Lord Jesus Christ and beside Him were her baby Alice Agnes, her sons Edward and Stephen, and her husband of 70 years, Jack. The world will be a sadder place without her.Elizabeth Kowalski Foster was born on December 5, 1920, in Mission, Texas to Louis and Dorothy Kowalski. She was the 2nd of six children. When Liz was four years old her family moved to Monterrey, Mexico, six years later, the family moved to Laredo, where she became fast friends with many. She graduated from Laredo High School. Among her closest friends were the Foster girls, who introduced her to their dashing older brother Jack. Elizabeth and Jack married in 1941, shortly before he left to the war. It was during his time overseas that she had her first child, John Jarvis, or Jackie. After Jack’s return, they set up house on Fremont Street, and their family grew to a large brood of 7. When asked to choose between her children, she’d hold up her hands and say, which finger should I cut off.As the children grew, Liz began teaching school at Mrs. McBride’s preschool. She began studying for her license as an Interior Decorator, and upon completion, joined her husband, Jack at Laredo Lumber and Supply Company where she opened the Design department. She quickly became known all over Mexico as the “Senora Liz”, and customers came from as far away as Puebla to seek her expertise when decorating their home. She managed a women’s clothing store for a time, and in 1969 with Jack established “Foster’s”, their own decorating, gift and hardware business. She always felt her greatest joy and achievement was her family. She loved vacations to Port Aransas taking all seven kids, along with friends, for two week vacations in the summer. She’d take the kids fishing in the channel and crabbing on the beach. In her later years, she and Jack traveled more extensively often accompanied by Dody and Susan. The visited the Panama Canal, Europe, Alaska, New England, and Canada and in 2010, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to visit the region of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.Besides her success as a wife and mother, she portrayed Princess Pocahontas TWICE in 1939 and 1941. Elizabeth also participated as a debutante in the very first Society of Martha Washington Pageant in 1939, served as the Society’s president in 1967, and portrayed Martha Dandridge Washington in 1969. In 2001, the Foster Family was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame. Elizabeth served as Presidente de la Republica del Rio Grande in 2008. Shortly thereafter, she was inducted along with her husband and daughters, Susan and Dody, into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, John Edward (Jack), her daughter, Alice Agnes , her sons, Edward Louis and Stephen Mackin, and grandson John Jarvis, Jr. She is survived by her children, John Jarvis “Jack” (Millie), Elizabeth “Junie” , Dorothy “Dody”, Mary Susan, Sally Foster Gonzalez (Guillermo), her daughter-in-law Magda (Edward), former daughter-in-law Michelle Garcia, grandchildren Kevin O’Connell, Kelly O’Connell Goedicke (Victor), Edward Louis Foster Jr. (Kim), John Hall Foster, Guillermo E. Gonzalez III (Leslie), Sarah Elizabeth Gonzalez, Stephanie Foster Carrillo (Danny), Thomas Jarvis Foster, Matthew Lawrence Gonzalez, Catherine Nicole Gonzalez, and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Dorothy Longoria of Houston, and Melita Cullinan of San Antonio, her sister in law, Mabel Allen of Corpus Christi, many nieces, nephews, friends and “adopted” children.Pallbearers: Guillermo E Gonzalez Jr, Edward Louis Foster Jr, John Hall Foster, Guillermo E. Gonzalez III, Matthew L. Gonzalez, Thomas J. Foster, Sarah Elizabeth Gonzalez, Stephanie Foster Carrillo and Gabriel Castillo.Honorary Pallbearers: Kevin O’Connell, Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa, Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa, Dr. James T. Willerson, Dr. Ray Keck, Mae Thomas, Anthony Trevino.Family members will be receiving friends and family on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church 555 E. Del Mar Blvd from 11:00am – 12:30pm. A rosary will be recited at 12:30pm followed by Mass at 1:00pm. Interment will follow immediately from St. Patrick’s Church to Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 4502 Thomas Ave. Laredo, TX 78041 (956)723-3611. Condolences can be expressed by visiting our website at www.freddickey.comIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethany House, The Texas Heart Institute or United Day School Annual Giving Fund.