JoAnn Foster went from this world to the arms her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 1, 2023 at the age of 88. She was kind, loving, and generous, the best mother and grandmother her family could have had. She was very dearly loved.
She was born December 9, 1934 in Winlock, Washington to her parents, Darwin “Hooney” and Estena Fletcher. She was delivered by Dr. Marsh, who delivered babies in a home on 1st Street. JoAnn was later joined by sisters Kay and Sharon. She was a joyous and loving child and that spirit never left her. She spent her childhood days in a series of houses in the town of Winlock and then in the surrounding countryside in her teenage years. She loved large family gatherings on the Fletcher and Ward sides of her family.
In 1952 she married Paul Foster, the love of her life, and they had sixty-seven wonderful years together before Paul’s death in 2020. Their slogan as a couple was “Sweethearts Forever” and they set an example for their family of loving commitment, respect and adoration. They build their home together on a foundation of faith in God and trusted him for all things in life. They welcomed children Sherri, Debbie, Melody, and Brett and were thrilled when, later in life, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were added to the family.
JoAnn was Paul’s helpmate and support in years of logging and farming and she cooked many a dinner for hay crews on hot summer days and sheep shearers who came to work for the day. Her cooking was legendary and her family has so many fond memories of her Sunday roast beef dinners, her holiday meals and her camping cast iron kettle fare. She was warm and gracious, always ready to make food for someone, and invited all to her home with a welcoming smile and cheerful greeting. She was happy to have fifty or more people in her house at Christmas as the family grew and those days were her greatest joy.
She will be greatly missed. Her love for each of her family members was a guiding light and warm comfort in this life.
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31: 28,29
JoAnn is survived by her four children, Sherri (Tom) Kretz, Debbie (Ron) Zucati, Melody (Sam) Zucati, and Brett (Dayla) Foster. She is additionally survived by her grandchildren; Bryan Kretz, Daniel Kretz, Julia Cambe, Anthony Zucati, Lauren Zucati, Reid Zucati, Zachary Zucati, Andrew Zucati, Brittany Martin, Spencer Zucati, Jessica Brock, Alexis Gage, Matthew Foster, Seth Foster, and 38 great-grandchildren.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband Paul, parents, her sisters Kay Luhn and Sharon Backman, brothers-in-law Neil Luhn, Milford Backman and Kirk Foster and great-grandson Nathan Zucati.
The family wishes to thank Silver Acres II in Centralia for the excellent care Mom received in her final months. Thank you to caregivers Shelly, Tigera, Christian, Tucker, Lauren, Michelle and Jahnel. The love, compassion, and kindness you showed Mom was outstanding and very much appreciated.
There will be a private family graveside service.