Gloria Anne Mains Flinter Foss, of Williamsburg, died June 26, 2014, at the age of 78.
Mrs. Foss, wife of General John W. Foss, Ret., died on 26 June, 2014.
She was born to Henry and Isabella Mains on April 29, 1936, in Glasgow, Scotland. As a young girl she lived at the family hotel in Glasgow and, during a German bombing raid in 1940, she and her family survived a near-miss that destroyed the home across the street. Later, her family moved to East Anglia so her father could work at one of the American bomber bases as a mechanic.
While there, her family endured the hardships of wartime Britain with buzz bomb attacks in from 1944 to 1945. Her father died in 1945 and the family returned to Glasgow in 1948. She was an excellent student during this time and played field hockey for her school. In December 1951, her mother died from cancer and her aunt, married to a U.S. Army doctor, Marcus Flinter, adopted Mrs. Foss and her younger brother. She and her brother then crossed the Atlantic by ship to reach her aunt and uncle, stationed in Venezuela.
Their next post was Fort Benning, where Mrs. Foss graduated from Columbus High School and enrolled in nursing school. In 1956, she met John Foss and within months the two were married. When he was transferred to Germany, she remained in Georgia to complete her nursing training and graduated salutatorian of her class. She then rejoined her husband in Germany and began her 33-year tour as an Army wife.
While in Germany their first child, John, was born. A transfer back to Fort Benning lasted three and a half years and she remained there while her husband spent a tour in Korea. In 1961, their second child, Kevin, was born. Their next station was West Point where Mr. Foss served as an instructor and later became the first exchange instructor to the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England. While there, their child, Julia, was born in 1966.
With the three children, Mrs. Foss moved to Florida to live near her adoptive father while her husband spent a combat tour in Vietnam. After a year spent at Fort Leavenworth and the Staff College, Mr. Foss returned to Vietnam and Mrs. Foss and the family moved back to Florida. During his absences, Mrs. Foss maintained the family and kept them happy with trips to the beach and the Apollo launches.
Upon Mr. Foss’ return from Vietnam, the family was transferred to Germany where they enjoyed travel and skiing for two years. They were stationed at several more posts in the United States over the next several years: Carlisle Barracks, Pa., Fort Monroe and Fort Hood, Texas. After his promotion to brigadier general, the family went to the Philippines as part of the diplomatic station.
Then, the family had their third tour of Germany, followed by a return to Fort Benning. As the family moved around, Mrs. Foss was always active in the OWC and volunteered in the Red Cross chapters at each post. She spent a great deal of time helping the Army community. From Fort Benning they moved to Fort Bragg for three years, then a year at Fort Myer and the Pentagon. In 1989, their final tour was two years as CG TRADOC at Fort Monroe.
Upon retirement, the family moved to Kingsmill. Mrs. Foss’ time there was spent traveling to England, Scotland, Germany and China, activities at the sports club and caring for the many animals and birds (from hummingbirds to hawks) that came to the house.
She was a great Mom to her three children; John (wife, Theresa), Kevin (wife, Cristina) and Julia (husband, Jimmy). She passed her passions for nature and animals to all of her children, along with her love of reading and books. Her inspiration also made all three excellent cooks. She loved her three grandchildren, Bryana, Kyla and Brady and supported them in many ways. All were able to see her in her last days. Mrs. Foss was also a steady participant at St. Bede Catholic Church and had friends across the world who prayed for her during her illness. She was truly a super Mom and Grandma.
A visitation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2014, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014, at St. Bede Roman Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.
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