Gloria W. Foster of Evanston, Illinois, passed away 31st October 2022. Born to Mervyn J. and Evelyn S. (Erickson) Wallace in Chicago, Illinois, on 24th March 1931, Gloria was raised in Chicago, where she graduated from Steinmetz High School. She received an A.B. from Kalamazoo College and subsequently an M.A. from Northwestern University.

Gloria taught elementary school at Bach School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  She later worked at the Health and Welfare Ministries of The United Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois; the Institute for Living in Winnetka, Illinois; Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois; and the Mental Health Association in Evanston, Illinois. She also volunteered at the North Branch of the Evanston Public Library.

Gloria was also a long-time member of the Weavers Guild of the North Shore. Not only was she a proficient weaver, but she was accomplished in other textile arts. She was also an active gardener, enjoying the peace of her shady yard where she grew a variety of native wildflowers as well as various shade-loving and pollinator-friendly plants. Throughout all, she remained a kind and gentle presence in the lives of those she touched and nurtured.

She was predeceased by her husband, John (Jack) in 2011. She is survived by their three children: Ann, Kristen (David McDaniel), and Robert (Rebecca Bates), as well as her grandson, John Foster McDaniel. She was predeceased by her sister, Cheryl Lynn Wallace, in 2003, and survived by her sister, Merilyn Joy Gehrke (Calvin), of Deerfield, Illinois, and their children and grandchildren.

            In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gloria’s name to the Nature Conservancy, the Lewy Body Dementia Association (by post to 912 Killian Hill Road SW Suite 205, Lilburn, GA 30047), or a charity of your choice.

Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com