Alice A. Foster

FOSTER - Alice A., 92, of Hollywood, passed away Monday morning, January 2, 2017. Born and raised in Chicago, IL, where she graduated from Farragut High in 1942 as a star student. Instead of college she worked to support her parents, joining the Reconstruction Finance Corporation as Administrative Assistant to the Director. In 1946 met husband William A. Foster II in church. They married May 1947 and moved to Hollywood June 1951. Was partner to Bill in his businesses, Foster and Harris Nursery and Landscaping Co and Johnson-Foster Funeral Home.

Active in service organizations including the Hollywood Pilot Club and Rotary, she was asked by Miami Herald Managing Editor George Beebe to write on Broward events, and did so for 22 years, first for the Herald ('57-'77) and later the Sun-Tattler ('77-'79). Her many columns included interviews with author Elie Wiesel and artist Duane Hanson, and personal stories about friends and family. From 1979 until 1990, she served as Director of Public Relations for the Diplomat Hotel, managing visits of stars such as Bob Hope and Liza Minnelli.

For nearly 60 years Alice and Bill Foster were Hollywood's power couple in civic affairs. In 1986, she was the first woman to receive the Community Service Award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and later a Pioneer of Hollywood Award. Each year she was elected as an Honorary Hollywood Rotarian. And for 50 years she was in a "sewing club" where no one sewed! From 1968 she was Mrs. Claus to Bill's Santa when they opened their home for an award winning Christmas Display seen by tens of thousands each year, featured on local and national media and in a Smithsonian Christmas exhibition in 1993 and commemorative book.

Preceded in death by beloved husband William A. Foster II in 2010, brothers Wilbur O. Ramsson in 1992 and John "Jackie" Abramson in 1923. Survivors include son, William A. Foster III and daughter in law Regina Foster, Santa Fe NM; son James E. Foster and daughter in law Irene Raj Foster, Vienna VA; daughter Marilyn Foster Silvernale and son in law James Silvernale, Hollywood; sister in law Betty Jane Deadwyler, Atlanta GA; grandchildren, Alisha Annathai Foster, Maia Dorothea Foster, and James Eric Foster Jr. of Vienna, VA, and many other devoted family members. In the words of her late husband Bill, she was "the composite of the finest things in everybody."

The family suggests that contributions be sent to the Hollywood Rotary Club Foundation, PO Box 221023, Hollywood, FL 33022.

Funeral service 2 PM, Sunday, January 8, at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1530 Hollywood Blvd.; friends may call Saturday 4-8 PM at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood.