Outagamie County WI Archives Biographies.....Foster, Mary A. 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 August 10, 2008, 10:37 pm

Author: J. F. Fuller

Mary A. Foster.

AS I write her name, Memory brings the friend so long vanished from view vividly
before me. The tall, slender figure, the dark, earnest eyes, the black hair
threaded with silver, and the low, gentle voice seem instinct with life once
more. How many years since we laid flowers on her quiet breast, and wrote, with
richly tinted autumn leaves, our farewell words above her coffined bed I Yet,
"the memory of the just is blessed," and hers is sacred in the hearts of those
who reluctantly gave her to the Silent Land in October, 1880.

     Mrs. Foster's home had been in Appleton since 1857. To how many it became a
haven of peaceful rest and strength! How often have I gone to her for sympathy
and advice, and never failed to receive wise counsel! Her judgments were so calm
and impartial, her standards so unchangeably high, and her faith in God so
unfaltering that no seeker went unsatisfied away. When she left that home on the
river bank, where her friends ever met a smiling welcome, the difference it made
in their lives not even they could express!

     Mrs. Foster was formerly a communicant of the Episcopal church, but united
with the Congregational in January, 1860. She found in this denomination great
freedom and a wide field for church work, in all departments of which she was
keenly interested. The field of foreign missions was one in which she was
vitally concerned. That those who sit in darkness should be given Gospel light
she believed was one of the first duties of the Christian church. During the
pastorate of the Rev. Henry C. Dickinson, in January, 1871, the Woman's
Missionory Society was organized, with Mrs. Foster as its president. Her
singularly wise administration of the duties of that office and her great
devotion to the practical work of the society led to her re-election for nine
successive years, until her death.

    For a long time before she left us, Mrs. Foster's health was very delicate,
but that was never an excuse for absence from her place, or inefficient
discharge of her duties. Of a dependent and clinging nature, through her desire
to succor those weaker or more distressed, she became a tower of strength. Her
dignity in meeting sorrow, her charity for the feeble and stumbling, who can
estimate their power!

     As she grew more frail, she became more zealous for work, forgetful of
self, oblivious of failing vigor. By her deeds, she said impressively,

    "If I can stop one heart from breaking,
        I shall not live in vain;
     If I can ease one life the aching,
        Or cool one pain,
     Or help one fainting robin
        Into his nest again,
        I shall not live in vain."

To lend a sympathizing ear to perplexed, discouraged souls, to hold high the
standard of consistent Christian living, and to leave a memory so pure, sweet
and tender that after twenty years, she is still mourned and missed, is the
record of this life.

    "To live in the hearts of those we leave behind us,
     This is not to die."
                             JENNIE BUSHNELL DICKINSON.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
APPLET0N, WIS.

PREPARED FOR THE
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, DEC. 18, 1900.
BY
J. F. FULLER, A. M., Compiler of the "Fuller" Genealogy.

1850—1900.
APPLETON PRINTING CO.,
APPLETON, WIS.


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