Mary (Minarich) Foster
Mary (Minarich) Foster – 94 was highly regarded by all who knew her as a woman who loved her family and her God.
On July 14, 2023 she fell asleep peacefully in the Lord, at her home in Hawk Run, in the company of her family: daughters Shirley Donovan (Douglas), Karen Blackburn, and Mary Ann Conkey (John).
Mary cherished her daughters, their husbands, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren: Matthew Donovan (Sarah), Kari Anne Donovan, Ashley Blackburn Simmons (Ryan), Alexis Blackburn, Alan Jeffrey Blackburn (fiancé – Ayelen), Drew Conkey (Colleen), Michael Conkey (Emily), Chris Conkey (Gabrielle) and seven great-grandchildren Xavier and Luka Donovan, Rylan and Ava Simmons, Holden, Jackson and Owen Conkey and numerous nieces and nephews. Her youngest brother, Kenneth of Ohio also survives her.
Mary was born on October 15, 1928 in Hawk Run, the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Messick) Minarich, who preceded her in death, as well as her husband, Jack; and siblings: John, Andrew, Michael, George, Andrew, Ann (Jackson), Helen, Nicholas, and her son-in-law Jeffrey Alan Blackburn. Eugene Minarich, her nephew, whom she raised, also preceded her in death.
Mary was a 1947 graduate of Morris Township High School with 28 in her graduating class. Her mother died when she was 16, so she stayed home to raise her two brothers, Nicholas and Kenneth and her nephew, Eugene, and then care for her father who had colon cancer. As a young woman, she enjoyed going to the community dances where she met the love of her life, Jack Foster, and then married him on June 18, 1949. Caring for her three daughters and her husband was a life she cherished. She enjoyed traveling, going several times to Georgia, California, Florida and Hawaii. Laughter filled the Foster home and a good card game was easy to find.
Mary was a faithful member of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Philipsburg, Pa where she served on the St. Ann’s Guild since she was sixteen. The club is well-known for their delicious pierogies and nut rolls. Good foods also filled the Foster home and Mary could quickly pull together a meal in minutes notice. No one ever went away hungry.
We wish to thank everyone who has surrounded her family with loving care and prayers, especially AseraCare Hospice.
The family will receive friends on Friday, July 21, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 420 Laura St., Philipsburg, Pa. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 am officiated by the V. Rev. Mark Meholick.
Burial will be at the Nativity of St. John’s cemetery following the ceremony. Lunch will follow at the church hall. All are warmly invited to share in celebrating Mary’s life.
In lieu of flowers, kindly send contributions to the Cemetery Fund at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 420 Laura St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg.
Family and friends may submit online condolences and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.
