Suzanne Christine Foster

Suzanne Christine Foster, age 82, of Bath, Ohio, passed away on September 17, 2025. Suzanne was born April 5, 1943, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and lived most of her life in the Youngstown area.

After graduating from South High School, Youngstown, Ohio, Class of 1961, she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English and minor in Sociology in 1965 at Youngstown State University. She was a proud member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. Suzanne received her Master of Arts in 1976 at Youngstown State and post graduate work at the Institute of Writing, Thinking, and Citizenship Education at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1987. She continued post-graduate work at Kent State University, and Youngstown State University.

She taught English at Chaney High School in Austintown, Ohio for many years and was nominated and selected as Teacher of the Month (on five occasions) by her students from 1973 to 1977. Suzanne had a strong interest in the Arts and Dramatics, having productions such as West Side Story. For one year, she was the coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program in the Wachusett Regional School District in Boston, Massachusetts. After her move to Akron, she concluded her teaching career by substitute teaching English at the Revere Local School District which she treasured.

Suzanne was nominated and selected Teacher of the Year of Youngstown City Schools in 1984 and was a recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Award at Youngstown State University in 1987. She was selected as a member of the Ohio Teacher Leader Network, 1987-1991; was a recipient of the Citation for Outstanding Programming of Youngstown City Schools by the Dunforth Foundation School Administration in 1987; recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Committee Award for “Keeping the Dream Alive” in 1987; created the Shakespeare Sampler in 1993; was recipient of the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award in 1991; and had the district honor of having taught First Place Winners of the Candace Gay Writing Contest at Youngstown State University English Festival from 1984-1989.

Suzanne was a member of many professional organizations such as Phi Delta Kappa, NETE, OCTELA, Ohio Teacher Leader Network, ASCD, OASSA. Also, she was a member of many community organizations such as Neighborhood Cancer and Heart Drive, Walk on Wick Volunteer Writing Tutor, and Christmas Pageants at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church where she helped design their Best of Show Bicentennial Year Float.

Suzanne was published in Quest, Poster Project, Teacher on Teacher, Write from the Heart, Parent Guide to Ohio Proficiency Test, Rights and Responsibilities Student Handbook, and Learn Center brochure.

She was an active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Daughters of Penelope, Philoptochos Society, Welcomer’s Club, Bath Volunteers, and Stan Hywet.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen G. and Dora Foster. She is survived by her sister, Harriet (Dr. Nick) Limbert; aunt, Melissa Theodoredis of Jacksonville, Florida; and many wonderful cousins.

Suzanne’s motto was, “the greater gifts, gifts of significance, cannot be purchased or packaged, they come from a giving heart.”

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday September 23, 2025, at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church, 4955 Glenwood Avenue, Boardman, Ohio with Reverend Father Constantin Ursacha officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, Georgia 30394; One of a Kind Pet Rescue, 1929 West Market Street Akron, Ohio 44313; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

The Billow Funeral Home’s & Crematory FAIRLAWN, is honored to serve the Foster family.