Stephani Emily Louise Foss

Stephani Emily Louise Foss, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and teacher died on October 27, 2021 after a long illness. She was 78 years old and was the daughter of Louise Lumpkin Upson Foss of Athens, Georgia and Bradbury Poor Foss of Springfield, Massachusetts. She is survived by her daughter Berri Maistru of Athens, of whom she was very proud, her grandchildren Gwendolyn Gadd, Patrick Foss and Alexander Maistru, all of the Athens area, who were the delight of her life.

Stephani was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 7, 1943. She arrived in Athens at the age of 4 when her family moved to her mother’s hometown. She attended Chase Street and St. Joseph’s Elementary Schools and high school at Athens High School in Athens and La Chatelainie in St. Blaise and Gstaad, Switzerland. Following her graduation from high school after the 11th grade, she attended college at Pine Manor in Wellesley, Massachusetts, her father’s home state. She returned to Athens where she earned a B.A. in Mathematics, a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education, and a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Georgia. She taught 7th grade at Clarke Junior High School for 3 years before returning to UGA for her higher degrees. She also worked with RESA and taught at UGA as a graduate assistant. Upon completion of her Master’s degree, she taught at Clarke Central High School in the Mathematics Department for 23 years and was the Mathematics Department Chair for the last nine years of her service there. She loved teaching and was enchanted by mathematics. Upon retirement from Clarke Central, she immediately returned to teaching Mathematics and Education courses at Piedmont College as an adjunct instructor in Athens, Demorest and The University of North Georgia in Oconee County, Georgia. She felt most fulfilled when leaving a class that had gone well.

In 1988 Stephani adopted an adorable daughter, Berri, age 7. To have a child of her own was a dream come true for her who had chosen a life revolving around other people’s children.

Following retirement she completed a Master Gardener course at the Botanical Garden and discovered her second intellectual passion. She enjoyed redesigning her garden as a children’s garden for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed volunteer work as a Master Gardener at the Botanical Gardens. She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and completed E.F.M., a 4 year spirituality study course. She served on the Altar Guild and organized Foyers for several years and attended Cursillo and Ultrea. She completed a Chaplaincy course in conjunction with Athens Regional Hospital. Stephani was excited about Learning in Retirement, currently known as Osher Life Long Learning. She was Treasurer for the organization. She loved her book club and enjoyed the challenge of a game of Bridge.

She loved life and her home and was ever optimistic, enthusiastic, supportive, creative and intellectually curious. She approached her many activities with zeal and shared them with those around her. She cherished her close friends and cared passionately about her family.

If desired, memorials can be made to Clarke Central Mathematics Department.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.