Sybil Marie Foster's Obituary
Sybil Marie Foster, 97, of Decatur, passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Sybil was born December 26, 1920, in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Earl B. and Inez L. (Fisher) Davis. She graduated from Decatur High School (1938) and served as a nurse’s aide in Hot Springs, Arkansas during World War II. She graduated from Millikin University in 1967 and taught third and fourth grade at the Oreana Grade School until her retirement in 1985. Sybil married Jean Paul Foster on January 26, 1946.
A life-long United Methodist, Sybil belonged to First United Methodist Church where she was an active member of the Miriam Circle and a former president of United Methodist Women. She led the church’s Sunshine Committee, was an active quilter, and volunteered for both the MAX Program and the Dinner Downtown.
Sybil was a fifty-year member of AAUW (the American Association of University Women), volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital (most recently with teddy bears), and participated in Home Extension, the Decatur Needle Arts and Creative Arts organizations.
Sybil is survived by her children Deborah (Fred) Ganaway of Racine, Wisconsin, Paul Foster of Boston, Massachusetts, and David Foster (Dale Hoiberg) of Chicago, her brother Eugene Davis, her sister Phyllis Roh, her grandchildren Bryan (Irina) Ganaway of Charleston, South Carolina and Andrew (Angela) Ganaway of Racine, Wisconsin, and great-grandchildren Mila Katherine and Lydia Nicole Ganaway.
Sybil was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother William Davis, sister Gloria Martin, and granddaughter Katherine Marie Ganaway.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, February 22, from 5-7 PM, at the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. A service celebrating Sybil’s life will take place on Friday, February 23, at 10:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church (201 W North St, Decatur), with the Reverend Mike Fender officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Illinois.
The family is forever grateful to DMH Hospice and the staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital’s fifth floor for their loving and generous care of Sybil in her final days.
Arrangements by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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