In Memory of

Phyllis

Jean

Foss

(Whitehead)

Condolences

Condolence From: Katherine Foss
Condolence: Phyllis Jean Foss was my mother-in-law for close to thirty-five years. Being married to her first born son, Hank, I don't think she was so sure what she thought of me when he first brought me home to dinner all those years ago. Somehow I knew at that very moment, that a time would come when we would be very good friends as I observed her making and serving the amazing food she put so much care into as she set it on the family table. After dinner I went into the kitchen and sat down as she was doing the dishes and asked her for the recipe of what she had made for us. She had made her famous chicken casserole that Hank loved so dearly; and so began a friendship that spanned the next 35 years. Over time we became closer and were able to confide in each other. Even when we disagreed we were always able to talk about it, even if we never came to the same conclusion. We would agree to disagree,but we still loved each other. The beautiful relationship she shared with her husband Hank was something that I admired and wanted to attain with her son Hank. She was always of aware of what he needed, and would often give him a private glance of love while we all sat at the dinner table. But this love story was long and enduring. Phyllis once told me that she and Hank had never had a fight, not in all their years of marriage. That was something I had never even considered. Their love for each other was palatable when you were around them. When they would come to visit us I would always secretly watch them interacting with each other, because it warmed my heart to see and know that a forever love was something that was truly attainable. Christmas at Mom's house was always an event.....in fact the whole day was an event. We would start early in the morning, each of us opening stocking stuffers' one at a time as we went around the circle of friends and family. Dad would shower Mom with one gift after another that they would have secretly collected for each other throughout the entire year. That was followed by a quick breakfast that always included Mom's incredible sticky buns, we would ooh and ah our way through every last bite. After Mom straightened up it was right back to opening our main presents. When evening came the entire Foss/Whitehead extended family would meet for a potluck at Phyllis's late sister Marian's home where we would stuff ourselves, open funny presents we would all make for each other, and generally just have a wonderful time. I cannot begin to tell you just how much these memories of my mother-in-law and her family have meant to me over the years. Today, although I can't say my Hank and I have never had a fight, I can tell you that the tutelage of what marriage should be came from my mother-in-law, she inspired me to realize how important love and marriage are in our lives. When Dad passed some five years ago I saw my mother-in-law change without him. Her spark was gone, and it gives me solace knowing that she is with him right now. She is where she belongs, with her precious husband, and her Lord and Savior. We are all going to miss her very much, but I know that we will all see her again someday and until that time, I'm still making that chicken casserole for Hank every once in a while and I as I stand preparing it I always think about Mom standing in her kitchen, preparing the food she made for the people that she loved the very most, her family.
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Condolence From: S. Ellis
Condolence: I wish you peace and comfort during this time of sorrow. (2 Corinthians 1:2-4) The Bible gives true hope of being reunited again with your loved one. (John 5:28, 29) God promises that your loved one will soon come back to life in the resurrection in the paradise on the earth. (Acts 24:15) Sincerely, S. Ellis
Monday July 23, 2018