Mildred Frances (Tucker) Foster

Foster, Mildred Frances (Tucker) was a New Years baby, born on January 1, 1902 in Wichita, Kansas and died on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She was 106 years old. Services will be 1:00 P.M., Monday, January 21, 2008 at Downing Lahey East Chapel, Wichita, KS. Mildred was the youngest of three daughters of John Handley and Claire (Miller) Tucker. She graduated from Wichita High School in 1919 and from Fairmount College (now WSU) in 1923 where she was president of Sorosis (now Delta Delta Delta Sorority). She enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Kansas where she met Thomas L. Foster. She taught school for a year, worked as a bookkeeper and on Wall Street until Tom completed his medical studies at Columbia University in New York City. They were married in New York City on August 24, 1927. Returning to Wichita Tom practiced surgery here until they eventually moved to Halstead, Kansas where he was head of the Psychiatric Department and part owner of the Hertzler Clinic. In 1960 the Fosters relocated to Ponca City, Oklahoma where Dr. Foster practiced psychiatry and was instrumental in the establishment of the Bi-State Mental Health Foundation and the psychiatric ward at St Joseph Hospital in Ponca City. Mildred and Tom also initiated the idea of creating the Westminster Village. Following Tom Fosters death in 1984, Mildred became a charter resident in Westminster Village and resided in her own apartment there until just a few days before her death. She was a past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of Chapter EL of PEO, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City. Mildred Foster is survived by her daughter, Betty Yohe (Spencer) of Villa Park, California, two sons, Richard T. Foster (Carol) and Robert T. Foster (Jacqueline), both of Wichita, Kansas, eight grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be sent to the Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, Kansas 67260 or the First Presbyterian Church, 1505 East Grand Ave, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604.