Glenys Harriet Morse Foss died peacefully, surrounded by loving family and staff at Cove’s Edge long term residence in Damariscotta on Oct. 28.
Born in Nashua, N.H., Sept. 29, 1922, she was the daughter of Elmer R. and Madge B. Bates Morse. She grew up in Thornton’s Ferry, N.H., and graduated with honors from McGaw Normal Institute in 1940.
Her family moved to Portsmouth, N.H. where they bought an apartment house so Glenys could attend the University of New Hampshire. She graduated in early 1944 with a degree in accounting and moved to Philadelphia to work in the war industry. She married Warren Foss in November 1944. They met at UNH before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They moved to California where Warren was stationed as an aviation navigator at the Alameda Naval Air Station.
The couple returned to Portsmouth, N.H. in 1946 where her husband completed his degrees at the University of New Hampshire and she raised three young children, Geraldine, Warren, and Cynthia.
The family moved to New Brunswick, N.J. in 1951 when her husband joined the chemical industry in central New Jersey and Glenys had her youngest child, Gloria.
She continued as a homemaker until 1956 when she returned to the workforce as an accountant for several companies in New Jersey, including Johnson and Johnson. She juggled the life of a working mother adding a number of beloved cats and dogs to her family.
She divorced in 1979 and continued as an independent professional woman until her retirement. She was extremely proud of having been an accountant for Lockheed Electronics in Plainfield, N.J. and retired from there in 1984.
Glenys was anxious to return to her mother’s native Maine where she resided in a precious waterfront cottage in Hancock. She tended her gardens, mothered many cats, and fed a large flock of grateful ducks. She was a wonderful and colorful grandmother to her 5 grandchildren and hosted them regularly in Maine or took care of them at many times during their childhoods.
She enjoyed her coastal paradise for 27 years before moving into Cove’s Edge long-term care residence in 2011. There she was lovingly cared for by an amazingly dedicated and kind staff. She was blessed to have a wonderful roommate Betty and was comforted by the chapel ministry.
She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Priscilla and Gloria; and the many kitties she mothered and adored.
She is survived by her children, Geraldine Foss of Greenfield, N.H., Warren Foss Jr. of Osterville, Mass., Cynthia Foss Bowman of Hope, and Gloria Foss St. Amant of Lithia, Fla. She was also a wonderful mother-in-law and was loved by Pam Carter Foss, David Bowman, and Paul St. Amant. She leaves grandchildren, Jeffrey St. Amant, wife Andrea and son Soren of Tampa, Fla., Christina St. Amant and spouse Lisa Kozik of Maui, Hawaii, David Per Bowman and wife Melissa del Sol of San Francisco, Cal., Heather Foss and partner John Strout of Gainesville, Fla., and William Foss and wife Stephanie of Chicago, Ill.
Her family has many funny stories to mark her life. She passed on her New England traditions including pie making and a love of wild flowers, especially lady slippers. She was a caring and strong character who left distinct impressions on people.
A life celebration and memorial was held on Oct. 30 at Cove’s Edge for family, staff, and residents. A private interment is planned in Wilton, N.H.
To share a memory or condolence with Glenys’ family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.
