Mary Barbara Foster

Mary Barbara Foster, age 94, died on March 14, 2025 at her home in Golden, Colorado.

Mary Barbara Stump was born on October 20, 1930 in Fort Scott, Kansas to Nellie and David Stump, joining her older brother Sam. Barbara, as she was known to friends and family, grew up on the family farm near Blue Mound, Kansas. She attended the local one-room school house, “Harmony” and then graduated from Blue Mound High School. Barbara loved growing up on the Kansas farm and always considered this “home”.

Barbara attended Baker University with Sam, after his return from World War II, before deciding to transfer to the University of Kansas Medical Center where she received her diploma and qualified as a Registered Nurse. Barbara continued her Nursing education, receiving her BSN from the University of Colorado. It was in Boulder that she met her future husband, John Foster, a WWII and Korean War veteran. John and Barbara were married on September 1, 1956 in Boulder. John was a proud Union Carpenter. Barbara worked as an Operating Room Nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver for several years before welcoming their first son, Douglas “Doug”. Twin girls Ruth and Ann, were tragically still-born in 1963. John and Barbara’s second son, James “Jim” was born a few years later. The family lived on Eaton Street in Lakewood during that time. Special family times included trips to Dillon in Colorado’s mountains and Kansas to visit Barbara’s side of the family at the farm. Thanksgiving dinner was always a traditional time to be with Johnny’s side of the family.

Barbara was saved at the Billy Graham Crusade in Denver in 1965. Her faith was the foundation on which she lived her life. Her greatest joy was the role of wife, mother and grandmother. She invested in each of her grandchildren’s lives and the bond continued as each grew into adulthood.

Barbara was a member of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Wheatridge. She was a friend to many at Golden Pond, church, former co-workers, extended family and long known acquaintances from Kansas and Colorado, maintaining a busy correspondence by letter, text and phone. She was faithful to always recognize friends and family’s birthday with a card and bookmark. Barbara spent the final three years of her life at Golden Pond Assisted Living Center in Golden where she enjoyed painting class and many special events. A happy memory was the Thanksgiving Dinner shared last fall with all of the extended family at Golden Pond.

Her husband John preceded Barbara in death in 2010 after fifty-four years of marriage. Her brother, Sam Stump died in 2018. Barbara leaves behind her dearly loved sons; Doug (Beth), Jim (Suzanne), her grandchildren Lauren Berson (Tyler), Hannah Hollis (Jonah), Jessi Foster and Micah Foster.

Barbara cherished her family, and always enjoyed the times spent with them.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 am at Beth Eden Baptist Church, 2600 Wadsworth Blvd. in Wheatridge. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley beside her husband Johnny. Funeral Services provided by Newcomer Funeral Homes, Lakewood, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or the Emily Griffith Foundation.