Anna Kathleen (Foster) Stern, age 63, entered the Heavenly realm of angels at her home in Southwest Austin, on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, after a hard fought courageous battle for several years with breast cancer. “Kathy” deceased peacefully surrounded by the family she loved.
Kathleen began her life with birth at the U.S. Army hospital, Fort Hood, Texas, on the 28th of June, 1949. She was the second daughter of Col. James E. Foster and of the late Alice Louise (Roberts) Foster.
Kathy was a U.S. Army “brat”, growing to adulthood during the Korean, Vietnam, and Cold War era. Hence, she lived with her loving military family and attended schools in multiple states and over seas.
Kathleen became interested in competitive swimming when she was eleven years old. She became a very accomplished swimmer as a teenager and set new records for her age in girls “back stroke” and “butterfly” strokes in competitions primarily in the Midwest and Virginia areas of our United States. As a result, she was invited to and attended the dedication of the “National Swimming Hall of Fame” in the summer of 1966 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She was an outstanding student, graduating with honors from Leavenworth High School, Kansas, in May 1967. While in high school, she was first chair clarinet in the marching band. Kathy received both academic and swimming scholarships to OSU and was a member of the Ohio State University’s ladies swimming team during 1967-1969 (Freshman and Sophomore years). Kathy earned a BS in marketing from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, in December 1971.
Kathleen met James Jarman Stern while both were students at Ohio State University. Both were avid supporters of The Ohio State University and the “Buckeyes”. Following their graduations they married in Columbus, Ohio, on the 9th of April, 1973. While in Columbus, she served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves Military Police Unit for two years.
Anna, as she was known by her co-workers, was well respected at the Internal Revenue Service, where she held many positions. She worked her way up and eventually held the position of “training coordinator” which she held when she retired. She was invaluable at her job.
Kathleen will be remembered for her kind heart, generous spirit, discipline, organization, independence, and intense loyalty to her family, friends, and co-workers. She valued service and was involved in many service projects, such as helping her daughter in her classroom and school library, fostering kittens from the humane society, donating various items in need to area animal shelters, “Racing” for the Cure, helping out at various races around Austin by stuffing packets. She loved to read and you could often find her exchanging books with her father. She was always involved with her two children and their activities and schooling. She had a deep love and respect for nature and animals, especially cats, and she instilled these values in her children. She had a vibrant sense of humor. She was a truly loyal wife, devoted mother, dedicated aunt, and always a compassionate, dependable friend.
She is survived by her husband, James J. Stern; her daughter, Sandra “Sandy” Jasmine and husband, Edward Rodriguez; her son, Steven Cody and wife, Marett Hanes Stern; father, Col. James E. Foster; sister, Anita Louise Beard of Goode, Virginia; brother, James Christopher and wife, Karen Foster of Nixa, Missouri; five nieces, two nephews, one grandniece and one grandnephew. She is also survived by other relatives and a host of friends.
She was predeceased by her mother, Alice Louise (Roberts) Foster and just-younger sister, Patricia Allene Foster.
Kathleen will rest eternally along her family members in the Foster family plot at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park located in Oak Hill in Southwest Austin, Texas.
The family wishes to express their thanks to Texas Oncology, especially Dr. Hellerstedt; Hospice Austin; and the many other doctors, staff, and technicians for their professionalism, kindness, and support rendered during the past several years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Texas Oncology; MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Hospice Austin or to the charity of one’s choice.
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