Judith "Kay" Foster

Judith “Kay” Foster, 79 passed away on May 1, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Kay was born on January 7, 1939 to Maude and I.L. Brown in Jamesport, Missouri. Kay grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Wyandotte High School. She received her degree in Elementary Education in 1961 from Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia. Kay earned her Master’s degree in 1969 from Kansas State University. While in school at Emporia she met Robert “Bob” Foster and they were married on July 30, 1961. Kay and Bob lived in Abilene, Kansas where they raised three children, Lori, Scott and Brett. In 1978 the family moved to Lakeland, FL. Kay was an elementary school teacher for 41 years. She loved children and especially enjoyed helping them develop reading skills. She combined her creative flair, training and patience to ensure every child had an opportunity to discover the joy of reading. Kay taught at several Polk County schools, including; Medulla Elementary, Blake Elementary and R. Bruce Wagner Elementary. She retired from teaching in 2004. After retirement she continued to help others in her community. She continued to share her love of reading by helping others through the Adult Literacy Program. She also continued to help children, serving as a Guardian Ad Litem. Kay loved to travel the world and never passed up an opportunity to go someplace new. She also enjoyed the arts, in particular live events, such as plays, musicals and concerts. But above all else Kay was selfless. She always thought of others and was the first to jump in, caring for family and friends when needed. Her friends were very important to her and she treasured those relationships, never taking them for granted but always working to make them stronger. Kay’s love for her family was unwavering. She was a wonderful, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She took each of those roles very seriously and made everyone feel loved and special. Of course anyone that knew Kay knew that her quick wit and sense of humor was always her first response. It always helped lighten the load and bring a smile. Kay was preceded in death by her mother and father Maude and I. L. Brown and brother, Robert L. Brown. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bob, her daughter and son in law Lori and Clint Ladouceur of Lake Ozark, MO; sons Scott of Lakeland, and Brett and Jenny of Lakeland; grandchildren Matt, Sara, Nick, Jack, Adam, Isaac, and Alexis; great grandchildren Ben and Dan. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 5 at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida with visitation from 10:00 – 10:45, memorial service at 11:00 a.m. and a brief reception to follow in the church parlor. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.