Mary D. Tibble Foster

Mary Frances “Tibble” Doyle Foster, cherished by family and legions of friends, died peacefully at age 86 in Perrysburg in the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio on Thursday, November 5, 2015. The third child born to Frances and Henry Doyle on December 10, 1928, Tibble’s early years were shaped by the steady attention of loving Southern women, her devoted grandmothers, and a lifelong intimate bond of friendship with her mother. Through them, Tibble was imbued with a warmth and graciousness that remained with her until her last day. Because of them she became a voracious reader, consummate writer, music lover and arts appreciator. Growing up in Bronxville, NY, she was a graduate of the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT. and attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Following marriage to Marvin H. Rorick, Jr. in 1949 at the age of 20, the newlyweds settled in Perrysburg, OH which became the lively familial, social and cultural center of their young lives. Starting from scratch, Tibble taught herself to prepare inventive and memorable meals, adding inspired new menu items and carefully curating menus for the ever-changing dietary needs of her guests. The guests and their lively conversations surrounding her elegantly set tables would chronicle the development of her community, personal interests and avocations over the years. A master of hospitality, Tibble provided generous reception of each individual and spirited engagement of all, whether guest, visitor or stranger; in her home or their place of business. Tibble loved people and people loved Tibble’s infectious positive spirit. Tibble reinvented herself as a professional during the seven years after her divorce in 1970. She applied her many skills and communications expertise to earning a living; first, at St. Luke’s Hospital, followed by her tenure with WGTE, Public Broadcasting where she served as director of advertising and public relations. In 1977, Tibble married Dr. Hugh M. Foster, Jr. a vascular surgeon. There was a special light in their 20-year marriage that radiated from a unique bond of humor, affection, intellectual challenge and discovery. Tibble engaged with all, regardless of background, education or social standing. She was an avid listener. She found service and leadership within the congregation of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church community where she was on the church vestry and became senior warden. Devout in her faith, she planted a church in Big Sky, MT during the eight years she lived in that community with Hugh who died May 29, 1997. While she considered her life a privileged one, entering the workforce had thrust her into a wider world where her curiosity and her interests extended outside herself, often to others whose lives were very different from hers. In this way she really left her mark as a model for others to go “beyond themselves” into uncharted territory, face fear, take risks, learn new things and grow. Like most, she knew heartache and sorrow in her life; yet she discovered through these experiences a way to grow in the midst of change. Tibble truly cared about the people in her life. Tibble was a loving and devoted mother to three children; Shelley B. Rorick Bennett, Dr. Marvin H. (Lindsay) Rorick, III, and Paige B. (Steven) Rorick Parks. Friends and family know the Rorick children well as they were ever present in Tibble’s life and conversation, wherever they were living. She embraced her stepchildren; Scott Foster, Catherine Hupfer, and Blair Bowery. She was the proud and cherished grandmother to Burgess Bennett Peck, Riley Doyle Parks, Hannah Keller Parks, Paige Rorick Skrickus, Kelly Rorick Giovaninni; and great grandmother to Bowen Peck and Everly Peck. In addition to building a robust family, Tibble was a leading light for many area organizations, among them Junior League as a 60-year member and former President; founder of the Ambassadors (formerly Aids) of the Toledo Museum of Art; trustee of Planned Parenthood of Northwest Ohio; trustee of the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo; founding trustee of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. It is fitting that Tibble died in the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. From its earliest days she believed in the concept and vision of Hospice and was an active advocate and volunteer for decades. She could be found frequently at the bedside of a patient in need of comfort. When she learned in August of the “rare and untreatable” nature of geriatric amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), she chose to inform her many friends through a letter in which she stated, “Although this has cut short my regular life in so many ways, I am at peace with the outcome…grateful for your friendship…celebrating my 86 years reflecting on the many ways you have enriched my life.” As the disease progressed, with characteristic grace, faith, courage and resolve, she “got on” with her daily life and accepted her fate with equanimity and dignity. Friends will be received from 3 – 8 P.M. on Friday, November 20, 2015 at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551 (419-874-3133). A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, November 21st at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 871 E. Boundary St. in Perrysburg. Memorials may be in the form of contributions to Hospice of Northwest Ohio,30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551, or to the ALS Association at www.alsa.org/donate.