Obituary of Mary B. Foss

Mary B. Foss, age 102, of Lewiston died Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at home in Lewiston under the loving care of her daughter and Niagara Hospice. Mrs. Foss was born September 1, 1921, in Niagara Falls, NY, the daughter of the late James R. and Ruth F. (Pattinson) Benbow. She was a 1939 graduate of Niagara Falls High School and attended Kelley Business Institute from 1938 to 1940. Mary worked as Bookkeeper for the former Power City Trust Bank in Niagara Falls and then at Bell Aircraft during WW II. She also had been employed by NY Telephone as a Business Office Representative for 2 years. On April 5, 1947, she married Charles A. Foss and they moved to Lewiston in 1956. Mary retired from Lewiston Porter High School in 1977 after serving 10 years as a Teacher's Aide. A devout Christian, Mary was a longtime member of the Niagara Frontier Bible Church where she was very active in their Women's groups as well as teaching Awana. In her retirement Mary enjoyed traveling to the various places where her daughter's husband was stationed while serving in the Air Force and her son was serving in the Border Patrol. She also enjoyed listening to the Lewiston Choraleers and taking trips with the Lewiston Senior Citizens. Mary was an avid walker, walking about the village every day except for Sunday. Her husband Charles A. Foss predeceased on April 12, 2002. She is survived by her children, Jacqueline B. (the late Bruce) Sutherland of Lewiston and Charles Russell (Pati) Foss of El Paso, TX.7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey E. Foss; and three sisters, Sara B. Coppins, Ruth Locke, and Jane Van Brocklin. Her family would like to acknowledge and thank Mary's wonderful and devoted caregivers from HART, Donna, Lisa, and Marilyn A memorial service will be held on Wednesday January 31 at the Community Bible Church, 4168 Church Rd., Town of Cambria, with Rev. Brad Delp officiating. There will be no prior visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. #1 Ambulance Fund, 145 N. 6th St. P.O. Box 748, Lewiston, NY 14092 , Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094, or to the Community Bible Church, 4168 Church Rd., Lockport, NY 14094. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston.