Betty Hofacker Foster

Betty H. Foster, age 91 of Toledo Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday April 8, 2010 in the Swan Creek Retirement Center. Betty was born in Wooster Ohio to Henry and Geneva (Schad) Hofacker on February 27, 1919. She attended Wooster High School and graduated from Wooster College in 1940 with a Bachelor of Music degree. Betty studied violin with Daniel Parmalee, her teacher and mentor, from 10th grade through college. She met her husband, Alfred F. Foster, in the Wooster College Orchestra where she played violin and he played horn; they were married on September 8, 1940. Throughout their lives, Betty and Alfred participated together in musical organizations including the Columbus (OH) Philharmonic (1940-42), the Charlotte (NC) Symphony (1942-43), Santa Rosa (CA) Symphony (1945-46), Friends of Music Orchestra, the forerunner to the Toledo Symphony (1947-48), and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (1950-72). After retirement, they played in the Perrysburg (OH) Symphony (1985-88). As a private violin teacher, Betty nurtured and inspired hundreds of students through her many years of teaching. She was an active member of the American String Teachers Association and three performing music clubs in Toledo: Euterpean Club, Monday Musicale, and Mu Phi Epsilon. For many years, Betty was a member of the First Unitarian Church. Betty and Alfred were “pioneer” residents of Swan Creek Retirement Village. After moving to Swan Creek, she continued to teach privately and presented many student recitals in the Community Room. She also conducted the Swan Creek Singers which rehearsed regularly and performed for special occasions. She is survived by her sister Anna Ruth K’Burg of Hendersonville NC, daughters Genette Foster of Pasadena CA, Kathleen Foster of Rutherfordton NC, and her grandchildren Margot and Eric Garnick. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S Reynolds Rd on Sunday April 11 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services at 4:00 p.m. Interment will take place in Wooster Cemetery, Wooster Ohio on Monday April 12 at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may take the form of a donation to the Toledo Symphony League Remembrance Fund c/o Joanie Barrett, 8646 Plum Hollow Point, Holland OH 43528 for scholarships awarded in Betty’s name, to Wooster College in Wooster OH, or a charity of your choice.

Betty Hofacker Foster

February 27, 1919 - April 8, 2010