Phyllis Foster

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Phyllis Foster was a kindhearted and gracious woman who loved to serve others. She had an open door out of an open heart that deeply embraced both her family and friends. Phyllis was a devoted mother if ever there was one, and things only got better when grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even one great-great-grandchild joined the family. With energy that never seemed to run dry she was there to offer endless amounts of love, support, and encouragement at just the right time. Phyllis was steadfast in keeping everything in perspective and exemplified what it means to take every day as it comes. She will never be forgotten by her family members and friends.

By the end of WWI in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader for the first time with the eyes of the world focused on our shores for what was to come. The decade that followed was an exciting one with innovative thinking that was transformed into technological advancements that changed our everyday lives with things like radios, refrigerators, washing machines, and more affordable cars thanks to the assembly line. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1921 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their baby girl on June 16th. Phyllis was the youngest of three children born to her parents, Thomas and Ina (Draa) Gibson, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and she was raised in the family home alongside her siblings, Patricia, Dorothy and Josephine.

In many ways Phyllis was a typical girl of her generation. Her father worked as a salesman while her mother was a secretary. When school was out for the summer her parents put Phyllis and her siblings on a train bound for Florida where they stayed with their grandparents. The girls had a great time as their grandpa was a local doctor who rode a horse. Their grandparents also had three monkeys. Phyllis was a student at local schools who went on to graduate from St. Augustine High School. She continued her education at Nazareth College, graduating in 1943. Interestingly, it was as a young woman that Phyllis became the inspiration behind the original lyrics of the song “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo” made famous by Glenn Miller.

Not to be forgotten during her years at Nazareth College was Phyllis’ introduction to the man who would forever change the course of her life. His name was Ed Coughlin, and they met while Phyllis was working in the library. After dating for a time the couple was married in 1948, deeply in love. It was as a young man and newlywed that Ed graduated from dental school and went on to establish his own dental practice. Together Phyllis and Ed were blessed with the births of two children, Cathy and Ed. She and her children were given a tough pill to swallow when Ed became ill and died in 1951.

In addition to caring for her family, Phyllis spent many years teaching. Her first teaching job was in Delton where she had 42 students. Phyllis also taught in Wayne and Ann Arbor. After Ed’s death she taught at Villa St. Anthony and St. Augustine in Kalamazoo.

New and exciting changes were in store for Phyllis when she met a man named Thomas Foster a few years after Ed’s death. He was a widower with three young children, and after a brief courtship they were united in marriage on June 11, 1955. Phyllis adopted his three children, Suzanne, Nancy, and Jim, and he adopted her two children as well. Together they welcomed four additional children into their hearts and home including John “Drew,” Angela, Michael, and Ina. Tom built the family home on Grand Prairie Road in Kalamazoo complete with a pool, which made their home the place to be in the neighborhood. In addition to teaching all of her own children to swim in the pool, Phyllis was also a gracious host to all the kids in the neighborhood who wanted to swim, too. She made endless pitchers of Kool Aid for all the kids, and she also enjoyed hosting countless parties for adults. She loved playing Bridge, and as a result she hosted Bridge parties, too. As an amazing hostess, Phyllis always had the fine silver polished and ready for entertaining. She was a fantastic cook and baker who was known for her pies, especially her lemon meringue pie that was a favorite among her family. Phyllis loved golf, and with the Fosters it was a family affair. Throughout her life holidays were always of the utmost importance to her as it was a time for everyone to gather together.

During their retirement years Phyllis and Tom bought a cottage near Benona Shores, Michigan, where they loved taking in the serenity of the surroundings as well as everything that the lake has to offer. They enjoyed the cottage for months at a time each year until Tom’s death in 2004. After Tom’s death Phyllis sold the house and moved into Hope Woods Apartments where she made many friends and took part in several activities. During her younger years she studied art while in college in Chicago, but she put her love for art aside while she was busy raising her children. Once they were grown and on their own she brushed up on her art skills and did numerous water colors through the years.

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Phyllis Foster filled her days with unending love for her family and friends. She was an intelligent and funny woman with a driving determination to complete the things she set her mind on doing. A devoted mother, Phyllis taught her children vital skills like table manners and how to swim in addition to importance of having patience and remembering that “this too shall pass” when trying times came. A classy entertainer, there was nothing better than gathering with family and friends. Phyllis will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Phyllis Foster, of Kalamazoo, died on Monday, June 30, 2014, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Members of Phyllis’ family include 9 children: Sue Marasco, Nancy (Ken) Kakabaker, James (Eileen) Foster, Cathy (Dennis) Harper, Edward (Laurie) Foster, John “Drew” Foster, Angela (Larry) Foster-Goodrich, Michael Foster, and Ina (John) Burzee; a sister, Patricia Moody; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward T.A. Coughlin in 1951 and second husband, Thomas Foster in 2004; granddaughter, Kristine in 1990; and 2 sisters: Dorothy Courtney and Josephine Alexander. Learn more about Phyllis and visit with her family and friends on Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive where the Rosary will be recited that evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 West Michigan Ave; Kalamazoo. Please visit Phyllis’ personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her guestbook online before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the heating assistance program at St. Augustine Church.