Florence (Woods) Deems Foster, 89, of Evansville, a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grand- mother, sister, aunt and dear friend to so many, passed away on February 23, 2005, at Deaconess Hospital.
Florence was born on October 12, 1915 . She was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Perry Woods, a physician who moved to Evansville in 1904, to begin his medical practice. Florence was a graduate of Bosse High School and Gulf Park Junior College , Gulfport , Miss. She was also a graduate of Indiana University , earning her A.B. Degree in psychology in 1936 and a master's degree in clinical psychology in 1938. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, this year celebrating her 75th anniversary.
In 1933, Florence won the title of Miss Evansville and later that year, was chosen as Miss Indiana . She was a beautiful person in every way. She enjoyed and cherished her family and her friends. She was blessed with a brilliant mind, a servant's heart, a deep faith, a pioneering spirit, and a wonderful sense of humor.
In 1936, upon graduation from IU, Florence was asked by Indiana University to join its traveling Speech and Hearing Clinic, which traveled throughout the 92 counties of Indiana examining and identifying children with speech and hearing problems. She had a keen interest in education, health, and in children, especially those with special needs.
In 1939, she married Dr. Myers B. Deems, and after his service in WW II, they moved to Evansville , where he began his medical practice. Florence was so proud of Evansville , and she devoted much of her life to giving back to this community. She was a member of St. Paul 's Episcopal Church, president of St. Mary's Guild, and a Sunday school teacher. She was principal of The Development Center and was the first executive director of EARC, laying plans for the present facility on Virginia Street . She was a former trustee of Evansville Day School and was greatly responsible for the early development of The Opportunity Shop. She enjoyed her volunteer work with Visiting Nurse Association, assisting in the Well Baby Clinic. She was past president of Vanderburgh Southwestern Medical Auxiliary, a member of Goodwill Auxiliary, Evansville Museum , and was a lifetime member of the Indiana University Alumni Association.
Florence is survived by her three children, daughter, Susie Deems Tittle and husband, David, and their children, Scott Tittle and Maggie Bowden and husband, Clay, all of Indianapolis; daughter, Judy Deems Nussbaum of Evansville and her children, Beth Gross and husband, Justin, and grand-daughter, Kate, and John Nussbaum and Michael Nussbaum, all of California; son, William Deems and wife, Virginia, and their daughter, Kristi, and grandchildren, Madison and Mitchell; and a niece, Jean Able Paul, of Tampa, Fla.
In 1966, Florence 's husband, Dr. Deems, died suddenly at the age of 59. Years later, she married Blake Foster and was a devoted wife, stepmother, and friend to his five children and their families. Surviving are Mary Beth Patterson and husband, Bruce, of Springfield , Ill. , Sharon Foster, of Denver , Colo. , Vicki Rider and husband, Joe, Bob Foster and wife, Jeanne, and Diane Coffman, and husband, Chuck, all of Fort Myers , Fla. In 2002, her husband, Blake Foster, passed away, on June 27, at the age of 83.
Visitation is today, February 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Alexander East Funeral Home, 2115 Lincoln Ave. On Friday, February 25, a private family burial service will be held at the Lutheran Cemetery . Friday morning at 11 a.m. a memorial service will be held at St. Paul 's Episcopal Church, 301 SE First St. , officiated by Reverend Richard Godbold, followed by a reception in Webb Hall at St. Paul 's.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of the organizations to which Florence devoted her life.
The Family would like to thank the staff of Riverpoint Health Campus, for their loving care, where she was a resident for nearly 5 years. Also, it is with deep appreciation and gratitude that the family thanks the special devotion and medical care from Dr. Thomas Browne, Dr. Anthony Inzerello and Deaconess Hospital .
Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue , Evansville , Ind. 47714 (812) 476-1351.
