Sara Louise MacLaughlin Foster

Sara Louise MacLaughlin Foster passed away on December 18, 2020 at O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio, due to complications related to pneumonia and Parkinson’s disease.

Sara was born on October 25, 1938 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Hermine Elizabeth Harte MacLaughlin and Lewis Henry MacLaughlin II.  She attended Wilmington College and the University of Cincinnati, earning a BA in Education.  While in college she met Cameron Foster, and they were married in 1960.  After briefly teaching elementary school, Sara became a full-time home-maker and mother.  She was a Girl Scout leader and parent helper at the children’s elementary school.

As they raised their children, Sara and Cameron enjoyed camping and road trips to visit family members, as well as spending time at “The Farm,” a country property in Sara’s family for generations. They  separated for several years, during which time Sara  began working in retail.  In 1980 Sara and Cameron reunited, and Sara and the children moved from Ohio to join Cameron in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Sara took a position at Macy’s Department Store where she worked for nearly twenty years.  In 2001, Sara and Cameron moved to Athens, Ohio to enjoy their retirement years in their home state.  

Family members fondly remember Sara as an excellent artist, chef, game-player, nature-lover, and as someone who bravely faced adversities of all kinds. Her grit, determination and optimism were especially apparent as Parkinson’s took over her body.  She refused to feel sorry for herself and kept a positive outlook to the end.

Until her health forced her to slow down, Sara was active in the Athens community.  As a member of the Unitarian Fellowship, she took pleasure in preparing coffee and treats for the congregation.  She treasured the company of her Friday Lunch Bunch, a weekly meeting with friends to discuss issues of the day.  She enjoyed attending musical and dramatic performances, and even performed in a local theater production.  

Sara is survived by her husband, Cameron DeWitt Foster, daughter Catherine Lynne Foster Franssen (Scott), sons William Paul Foster and Robert Cameron Foster, grandchildren Sara Arlene Franssen Wilder (Blake) and Matthew James Franssen (Kathryn), and great-granddaughter Abigail Catherine Wilder.  She is also survived by brother Lewis H. MacLaughlin III, sister-in-law Elissa V. MacLaughlin, brother-in-law Theodore Foster (Katharin), cousin Johannah D. Hall and her son Joseph Hall (Samara),  nieces and nephews Susan Rasche, Elizabeth Harmon (Jeff), Jerome MacLaughlin (Margaret), and L. Harte MacLaughlin (Peggy); and many great nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother William Harte MacLaughlin and sister-in-law Jean M. MacLaughlin.

Due to  COVID-19 restrictions, there is no public memorial. The family plans to gather this summer to remember Sara and pay tribute to her beautiful life.  Many thanks to the staff at Kimes  Nursing Facility, who cared for Sara with compassion and great kindness during the last phase of her life’s journey. Arrangements were entrusted to Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home where friends and family are welcomed to leave a message of sympathy at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.