Priscilla K. Foust (née Priscilla Ann Kramer) was born in Beaver Falls, PA on December 8, 1928. Childhood was great in that big house until 1942 when Pris, along with parents John P. Kramer and Jane B. Kramer, and younger sister Nancy moved to Park Avenue in Manhattan. The Kramers did not approve of the city schools so Pris and her sister attended Chevy Chase High School/Junior College in Washington, DC. After graduation, she spent two years at The Barmore School in New York where she took courses which would serve her well in her future careers. Also while back in NYC, Pris made her debut at the Waldorf Astoria.
On March 17, 1945, while waiting for her midshipman date for the weekend at Mrs. McIntosh’s home (who rented rooms) in Annapolis, Pris met Kathleen B. Foust. Kathleen was visiting her midshipman son, James W. Foust, for her St. Patrick’s Day birthday celebration. At Kathleen’s insistence, Pris and Jim also met that day. Though it could now be classified as love at first sight, Pris denied Jim’s request that she ditch her “drag” for the weekend to be with him. Soon enough, however, Jim did all the right wooing, their relationship blossomed, Jim proposed, Pris said yes, and they were married on March 27, 1948, fairytale style, in NYC. Their marriage served as an unparalleled example for all and would endure the rest of their lives.
The newest Mrs. Foust proved to be an exemplary Navy wife, being the perfect hostess when the occasions arose and always involved in volunteer opportunities. She and Jim had two children along the way, Terry born in 1949 and Kathie in 1953.
After numerous east/west coast tours of duty which included several deployments, Jim was transferred to the 6th Fleet staff in Villefranche-sur-Mer in southern France, adjacent to Nice. The next two years involved extensive travel around Europe and to the Middle East, and also included a Christmas in Rome. Next, Pris and Jim landed in Washington, DC in the summer of 1966 for Jim’s final assignment as CO of the Naval Security Station.
Now that the kids were grown, Pris was more than ready to do something that satisfied the keen business sense she possessed. Selling homes appealed to her and she set to work studying and obtaining her Realtor’s license. Soon she was in the thick of the Metropolitan Washington-Northern Virginia real estate market as an agent for Rucker Realty. As she did with everything, Pris put a great deal of energy and effort into her real estate business and was quite a success.
In 1975, Jim took a consultant position that would eventually require relocation to Annapolis. Though Pris loved her first real career, she loved her husband more so they moved the following year. The bug to be in business bit again and two years after they settled in Crabtown, Pris’ Paper Parlor was born. Pris loved her stationery and gift shop and adored all of her customers. The shop became legendary as the premier go-to for invitations for all occasions as well as unique personalized gifts. A couple of times a year, Pris (with Jim in tow) enjoyed attending the gift shows in New York where they were able to relive some of their favorite restaurants and catch a Broadway show.
The Fousts decided to prepare for their later years and became Charter/one of the first apartment owners at BayWoods of Annapolis in 2003. The children were pleased with this decision, as they both lived in different states, and appreciated the fact that friends, neighbors, and health care assistance were only seconds away from Mom and Dad.
Family was Pris’ number one priority. Her zeal to have quality time all together prompted a number of cruises which included everyone. These were great times thoroughly appreciated by the kids, their spouses, and grandchildren alike!
In September of 2006 Pris’ Jim passed away after a difficult illness. Terry and Kathie were naturally concerned about their Mom and how she would survive without her husband and best friend of the more than 60 years since they had met. As usual, Mom took charge of her life and almost immediately became involved in numerous activities both inside and outside of BayWoods. The children persuaded Pris to sell Pris’ Paper Parlor in 2007, a little shy of her (unknown at the time) goal of being open for 30 years. Pris loved her business, but she respected her kids’ guidance more.
Playing cards became a multiple times a week part of Pris’ already busy schedule. Bridge and poker were the most favorite games, and Pris was known to win most of the time. She was the only female to typically grace the poker table – the men probably were not upset when Pris couldn’t make it….. Frequent visits to the putting green hit the list when the weather cooperated. Pris took the championship more than once.
Another side of Pris that came to life again after Jim’s death was her desire to enhance her spiritual life and to share her upbeat personality with others. She attended Bible Study and church at First Presbyterian every week that she was in town. Pris routinely visited residents on the nursing floor of the Health Care Center at BayWoods. The staff thought of her as one of them as Pris spread joy with every person.
Pris loved and lived her life to the fullest. She was an over-the-top devoted wife, phenomenal mother, unconditionally loving grandmother, humbly thankful great-grandmother, and steadfast friend to so many. Anyone who knew Pris knows just how special she was and how much she will be missed.
Pris is survived by son Terry Foust, his wife MaryEllen Foust; daughter Kathie Ingoglia, her husband Mark Ingoglia; granddaughter Claire Downey, her husband Chris Downey; grandson Joshua Foust, his husband Emmanuel Martinez; granddaughter Alixe Hemerly, her husband Joe Hemerly; great grandson Lukas Martin, great granddaughter Gabriella Martin, great grandson Brewer Hemerly.
Cheers, Pris-we look forward to being with you once again!
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis at 171 Duke of Glouster Street.
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