Obituary of Autumn A. Foster

Autumn Ann Foster, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Winch Road on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, surrounded by her family and Prancer the dog, after a courageous, short battle with cancer. A native of Pennsylvania, she was born in Erie on January 23, 1937 to the late Alfred Conrad Spiegel and Blanche "Betty" Elizabeth McQuiney Johnston. Autumn was known for her kindness, great sense of humor, and unfailing optimism. She loved baking cookies, pies and cakes for any occasion and passed that passion onto her daughters and grandchildren. She and her husband of 55 years, Howard, built the house they've resided in since 1974. Autumn loved mowing the two-and-one half acre yard, working in the rock garden and looking out the window to see birds, deer and turkey. She and Howard never missed a chance to attend their children and grandchildren's activities, ranging from concerts and marching band competitions, Girl Scout and 4H activities to sporting events. She loved parades, county fairs, and fireworks. She enjoyed a good long Sunday drive topped off with an ice cream cone. She graduated cum laude from Lawrence Park High School in 1954, then from Hamot Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. She met Howard, the love of her life, while square dancing in Busti. Once married, they moved to Jamestown. She worked in utilization review and medical records at WCA Hospital for more than 10 years. Before raising her family, she worked as a registered nurse at Hillcrest Nursing Home and a medical surgical nurse at the former Jamestown General Hospital. Autumn was a founding board member of the Chautauqua Region Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she served as secretary for 20 years, as historian, and on the Sunshine Club, which served as an outreach to shut-ins through cards and the annual delivery of Christmas poinsettias. She was active in the Lakewood United Methodist Church attending Bible study and was a member of the Red Hatter's Club. She had also taught Sunday School Autumn was an election inspector for four years. She also enjoyed ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive and was often accompanied by her granddaughters. Some of her proudest moments include being awarded a lifetime member of the Celoron Elementary PTA, being featured on a 1970's cover of the Post-Journal's Saturday Magazine presenting a Thanksgiving dinner, being Girl Scout Cookie Captain with more than 100 cartons of cookies delivered to their house, and teaching baking to 4H members. She will be loved and remembered always by her husband Howard M. Foster, whom she married November 23, 1957; three daughters: Lori Foster (David Harman) of Rochester, NY, Lisa Morse (Kevin) of Jamestown, and Julie Stanton (Brian) of Centerville, Ohio; granddaughters Kristin and Molly Morse of Jamestown; grandsons David Morse of Jamestown and Josh Stanton of Centerville, Ohio; a sister, Lynda (Larry) Leech of Erie; nieces and nephews; and family rescue dog, Prancer. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Ronald Spiegel. A private family committal will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ashville. Please join the family to share memories at a Celebration of Life Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29th at the Lakewood United Methodist Church. Friends will be received in Fellowship Hall of the church following the service Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Autumn to Lakewood United Methodist Church, the Chautauqua County Humane Society, or the Lakewood Fire Department. Autumn's family sends a special thank you to Hospice caretakers Tina, Tennille, Rose, and Carna for their deep compassion.