Sue Foerster, wife of Dr. Robert Foerster, left her life as she lived it, fighting with ferocity to stay with family, friends and community. But, she lost her year-long battle with leukemia on the remains of Mother’s Day, which somehow seems fitting as she was a great mother and grandmother.
Now, to describe the dynamo that was Sue Foerster? Adjectives fly off the tongue, yet, still fail to capture the full essence of the woman.
Intelligent, beautiful within and without, loving, strong in mind and body, highly spiritual, compassionate, humble, accomplished, grounded, open-minded, funny, curious, creative, talented, insightful, dedicated, patriotic, a risk-taker when justified, an effective leader, and a courageous fighter as shown by this past year. Yes, all that and even a quirky side, for example, referring to her family by their first and last names even though one knew exactly who she was talking about.
Above all, she was a loyal and supportive parent, wife and friend, especially in time of need. Many friends and strangers have been the recipient of her kindness and efforts, and yet, most never knew it came from her. Who can fill the void?
To those who knew her best, she was their very “best friend.” And, that’s a lot of best friends since Sue’s circle encompassed the entire community. She had a gift of making the person she was speaking to feel very special. Neither age nor social status were ever a barrier. Sue was not a trivial person; every conversation had meaning and reflected her widely-held interests.
Her leadership and management skills in cultural and philanthropic efforts will long be remembered through the legacy she left with Peak Vista Community Health Centers, Catholic Charities, United Way, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Colorado Springs Dance Theatre, and Newborn Hope.
As Chairman of Peak Vista Community Centers, she was honored in 2007 as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for the State of Colorado at the National Philanthropy Day ceremony in Denver. Under her Chairmanship, Peak Vista expanded its reach to an additional 10,000 uninsured and working poor in El Paso and Teller Counties. From her creative mind sprung the idea for the Breakfast of Champions, which has become a highly successful fundraiser for Peak Vista, held at the Broadmoor each year.
Starting by volunteering on committees, Sue rose through the ranks to become Board President of Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs. While co-chair of the Board and Staff Division, the non-profit surpassed goals for their capital campaigns. Including in this litany of achievements was the idea for the St. Patrick’s Day dinner to raise funds for Marian House home for poverty reduction. Since it was her idea, guess who chaired the first dinner? It, too, has become a successful annual event. She was also a co-founder of the Jewish-Christian Dialogue forum with Bishop Richard Hanifen and Rabbi Howard Hirsch.
Born in Rochester, MN to Mary and Loren Wolter, now deceased, the family soon moved to St. Paul and when she was 11, to Brookings, SD where her father opened a Firestone Tire Store franchise. Her first real glimpse of Colorado came when she entered the University of Colorado in 1958, joining Alpha Phi sorority and making lifelong friends.
Suzie Q stayed in Boulder three years, and then transferred to the CU Health Center in Denver to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. Following graduation in 1962, she worked as a hospital-based physical therapist in California and Sioux Falls, SD.
Schoolmates at Brookings High School, Sue and Bob “jumped the broom” in 1964 after Bob’s first year of medical school. Their love affair survived for 51 years. Bob said Sue was the best thing that ever happened to him. All agree.
Their early marriage brought them back to Colorado when Bob completed his internship at the University of Colorado in Denver. Bob trained for 3 months to become a flight surgeon in Texas and then on to North Carolina for 21 months thanks to Uncle Sam’s Air Force. Once discharged, Bob took an ophthalmology residency in Seattle at the University of Washington. Upon completion, it was a return to the Rockies where Bob joined The Colorado Springs Medical Center in 1973. He eventually joined the Eye Associates of Colorado Springs, where he continues to practice.
Always a great athlete and loving our mountains, Sue embraced physical challenges, pushing herself to excel in tennis, golf, skiing, water-skiing, even windsurfing. It drove Bob crazy trying to keep up with her. Her personally- maintained flower garden, the envy of many, was another love and significant challenge.
Cherishing her memory are her sister, Barbara Wolter, brother, John Wolter and children, Shelly Trimble (Tom), Bobby Foerster, Keri Allmacher (David), and Michael Foerster; and grandchildren Courtney and Allison Trimble, Craig, Mikey-Bobby and Sarah Allmacher
It is the hope of the family that you remember Sue as a very accomplished and loving person. By example, rather than directive, and based upon who she was, her children and grandchildren instinctively learned what was right and expected of them. Yes, she had a fierce devotion to family cohesion and mutual support, but the legacy she leaves for future generations is the way she lived her life. The lessons she taught will guide us forever.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Road, on Friday, May 20 at 3 PM. Donations may be made in Sue’s name to The Sue Foerster Fund to benefit the Peak Vista Foundation, 3205 North Academy Blvd., Suite 130, Colorado Springs, CO, 80917 or www.peakvistafoundation.org, or Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs, 228 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
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