ROSEMARIE FOSTER

On Saturday March 7, 2026, Rose Marie Foster left this earth and finally rejoined the love of her life, husband Jerry Lee Foster (deceased July 7, 2020).  Beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and devoted friend, she embodied the definition of what it is to be a “fierce person”.

She possessed an intense and unyielding energy (often intimidating to many).  She was unapologetically authentic.  Her fierce love and loyalty to her family, friends and community was unrivaled.  She raised five children, eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews and yet always made time for each of them, and they all shared a special connection with her.  If you ever happened to be the receiver of one of her intense stares, you knew you had no other choice but to yield to what was expected of you – on the other hand, as a beneficiary of one of her winning smiles or better yet, the music of her laughter, you will never forget it. 

Her wish was to be remembered for her love of feeding people; whether at everyday meals, large family gatherings (that often included quite a few “adopted” people and the phrase “What’s one more?” can still be heard), tea parties or community events at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and the Rivi.  She loved to make homemade food during a time when TV dinners were all the rage.  Most of us will never forget the large Tupperware of homemade granola, more than a few jars of pickles or the big bin of fermenting yogurt on the counter. 

She was proud of her Polish heritage and holiday meals included traditional Polish fare like homemade pierogi and borscht (the latter of which some of us had to choke down each year). 

She was a passionate gardener and had a special connection with nature.  Over the years, she was frequently seen not only in her own gardens on Hinesley Avenue, but also at the Riviera Club and The Indianapolis Museum of Art - making things more beautiful.  

She believed in and supported a diverse world; illustrated through the numerous exchange students she housed and nurtured over the years.  Her spirit, beauty, and unwavering faith and devotion to those she cared about, as well as her community, will truly be missed. 

Visitation will be on Monday March 16, 2026, from 9:30am to 10:30am, with a funeral Mass and luncheon to follow at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 4600 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Thomas Bereavement Committee c/o St. Thomas Aquinas Church, the Wounded Warrior Project or the St. Vincent DePaul Indy Food Pantry. 

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