Sallie Ruth Foster, 89, of Tampa, Florida, formerly of Dunnellon, Florida, and Wappingers Falls, New York, went home to our Lord on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Sallie was the youngest child of George Harold and Lois Baird Simmons.

Sallie was born on March 24, 1937, in Oneonta, New York, where she spent her formative years before moving to Poughkeepsie, New York, to attend Vassar Brothers Hospital School of Nursing. It was there that she met her lifelong friends and was introduced to a handsome man in a trilby hat.

Sallie married John W. Foster on July 5, 1958. Together they shared a beautiful life for 64 years, until John's passing in 2023. Sallie and John were loving parents to John W. Foster Jr. (Linda S.), Scott G. Foster (Renee M., deceased), and Jacqui L. Disler (John C.).

Sallie was a proud grandmother to Caroline F. Heberling (Ryan), Mallory M. Arndt (Scott), Natalie E. Foster, and Mitchell M. Disler. She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren: Logan W. and Leighton J. Heberling, and Grady Foster Arndt. She was eagerly awaiting the arrival of great-grandchild No. 4, due any day.

Sallie was a devoted mother who chose to set aside her nursing career to be a stay-at-home mom. She was always willing to volunteer her time and energy, bake treats for classroom parties, and drive her children to and from their sporting events. She was the mom everyone expected to see—and hear—cheering loudly and proudly from the sidelines. She happily continued that tradition as her grandchildren became involved in swimming, dance, theater, and, of course, baseball.

In her later years, after her children and grandchildren were no longer competing in sports or participating in extracurricular activities, she faithfully followed Duke basketball and the New York Yankees.

Sallie was a devoted and fiercely loyal friend who will be missed by so many. Once Sallie gave her love, it was forever given, as evidenced by her 84-year friendship with Lani King and more than 60 years of friendship with her VBH Sisters. She never missed sending a birthday or anniversary card and continued writing letters until the very end to those she held dear.

We know that eternity has reunited her with all those she loved and lost. We also hope it includes many more games of Yahtzee, O’s (Dominoes), and, because she is once again with the handsome man in the trilby hat that captured her heart all those years ago, playing Pinnacle.

A Celebration of Sallie's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 13312 Cain Road, Tampa, FL 33625. Immediately following the service, there will be a gathering of family and friends in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Mark's Thrift Store (13310 Cain Road), where Sallie happily volunteered on many Thursdays, chatting with friends, sorting donations, and purchasing even more "treasures" (much to her family’s amusement)—always insisting on paying more than the listed price.