Patricia Joan Foster

10/03/1934-12/25/2022

Patricia Joan Foster (née Rapaport, and later Clark), was born in Manhattan Borough, New York City, New York on October 3, 1934 to Reuben and Eva (Clark) Rapaport. Her father was a physician who specialized in radiology and her mother was a registered nurse, one of the first public health nurses in New York City. Patricia had one sibling, Jerome Leslie Rapaport, who was six years her senior, earned several Master of Science degrees and PhD, and worked as a history professor at Southern Missionary College (SMC), now Southern Adventist University, in Collegedale, Tennessee for many years.

Patricia’s mother and maternal grandmother were Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) and of British heritage. Her father was of Jewish faith and heritage. Patricia attended evangelistic meetings as well as Sabbath worship services with her mother and older brother in her youth; she and Jerome were both baptized then, becoming members of the SDA denomination. While in her teens, Patricia’s parents divorced and her mother changed her surname to her maiden name, Clark. Patricia made this legal change to her name then and a little while later her brother Jerome did.

Growing up, Patricia attended primarily SDA schools in New York. In her early teens she, her mother and brother moved out of state and Patricia attended and graduated from Takoma Park Academy, Maryland, in 1951. She enrolled at SMC in 1951, majored in pre-nursing, then transferred to Loma Linda School of Nursing, Loma Linda, California, in 1952, and completed her Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree in 1955. During this time she met, dated and became engaged to Charles Gillit, during his senior year as a medical student at the College of Medical Evangelists, now Loma Linda University School of Medicine. They married in December 1955.

Shortly after Charles’s graduation in 1956, they moved to Denver, Colorado where he served his internship. While there, they welcomed their first child, a daughter Terri, in March 1957. That summer Charles began a three-year term as a Captain in the United States Army, as a physician, in Muenchwaller, West Germany. They welcomed their second child, also a daughter, Ginger, while stationed there. They returned to the United States mainland in 1961, settling in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Charles initially went into practice there with his uncle, Wesley Osborne, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist, later starting a solo practice as a general practitioner. In September 1961 they welcomed their third child, a son, Gary, and in January 1968, their fourth child, a daughter, Gina, both born in Madison Hospital, Madison, Tennessee.

Patricia taught in the Madison School of Nursing and earned her Master of Science, Nursing degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee in August 1963. Charles died in April 1968 from injuries suffered from a head-on motor vehicle collision that occurred in February 1968.

Patricia moved with her four children in July 1968, to Loma Linda, California, where she accepted and began a teaching position at Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Nursing. She was very active in the LLU Church, as she had been as a member of prior congregations. She traveled with LLU School of Dentistry staff and students to Guatemala in Spring 1971 as a medical missionary. Shortly before this she was courted by Glenn Foster, M.D., a cardiologist who practiced at LLU Medical Center, while also instructing medical students. They married in the LLU SDA Church in June 1971. Glenn’s first wife died in September 1969. Their two children, James and Margaret, joined Patricia’s four, upon their marriage. A little later Glenn adopted Patricia’s children and she his.

Patricia was a very active member of her community and church. She served as an elder many years; also a few terms as Head Elder of the LLU SDA Church. She served as president of the Association of Adventist Women (AAW) from January 2001 to January 2004, receiving their Woman of the Year Award in October 2004. Additionally she was active in the Loma LLU Medical Auxiliary, and served as its President from 1996-1997. She was a member of the Loma Linda Academy School Board, serving as its President in the late 1970s.

Her career path was equally, if not more, impressive. She served as Associate Dean of LLU School of Nursing for many years. In April 1976 she was instrumental in founding the first Southern California Chapter, Gamma Alpha, of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society for Nursing. This was the fourth chapter in California and the first in SDA Higher Education. She graduated with a PhD in Higher Education at Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, in 1979. She retired from LLU School of Nursing in 1991 and was awarded Professor Emeritus status in 2002. Additionally, she served to ensure LLU School of Nursing remained accredited on a continuous basis, also serving nationally, assisting other higher level educational institutions and developing standards of accreditation for same. Also, she consulted for nursing schools in several other countries.

After a long illness Patricia died peacefully in her home, as was her wish, very early Christmas morning, December 25, 2022 with her husband and local family at her bedside.

In addition to her first husband, she was predeceased by both of her parents and her brother Jerome (“Jerry”). Her survivors include her devoted husband of 51 ½ years, Glenn Foster and their children: Terri Foster, James (Beverly) Foster, Margaret (Rob) Ernst, Ginger (Stephen) Shullanberger, Gary (Yvonne) Foster, and Gina Foster. Additionally, grandchildren: John (Bethany) Foster, Laura (Luis) Candia, Mary Christian, Paul Christian, Peter Christian (Jeanne Lyons), Chelsea Shullanberger, Charles (“Charlie”) Shullanberger, Katherine (“Katy”) Foster, Paul Foster, Ashley Foster, and Pololín Foster. Great grandchildren: Andrew Foster and Benjamin Foster.

A funeral service for Patricia will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. A committal service will occur Friday, January 27, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E. Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. A visitation will occur Friday, January 27, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3520 E. Washington St, Colton, CA 92324.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Foster family.