Mary Elizabeth Foto
Mary Elizabeth Foto (born Mary Elizabeth Smith), passed away surrounded by family and friends who loved her, September 14, 2023 in Carbondale, CO.
She had just celebrated her 82 nd birthday, born September 1, 1941 in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Mary was a leader in her profession of occupational therapy, a businesswoman, an advocate for health care quality, and a proud member of her family.
She grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, California with an extended family. Her parents were educators. Her childhood gave her many happy memories of watching her parents conduct the important work of teaching children, of trips to the Oregon Coast and visiting the family cabin on Lake Arrowhead.
Mary graduated from the University of Southern California and later lived and worked in many places including the Los Angeles area, Alhambra, San Bernadino, Pasadena, Santa Barbara/Montecito, CA and Aspen, CO.
She was an avid investigator of her family’s history which started in America in 1637 in New England. She became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and often did research on the Smith family in their extensive genealogical library in Washington, DC.
Mary had many canine companions over the years who traveled with her everywhere. Her last was Annie, who was with her just before her death. Not to worry, Annie will be living with Flora and Jonas in Basalt and she is very happy there.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Stephen Anthony Foto in 1996. She is survived in Aspen by her daughter, Alison Foto Agley and granddaughter, Smith Ann Agley and in Kona Hawaii, Mary’s sister Nancy Redfeather and nephew Travis Redfeather.
A special thank you to all that helped with the end of Mary’s care and life. The Roman family, Akaljeet Khalsa, Sopris Lodge, Abode Hospice and Saint Peter’s of Basalt. Also, all of Alison’s friends who helped and visited.
A Celebration of Life will be held November 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM, Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 Elk Run Drive, Basalt CO with a short reception afterward at the church. If unable to make the service in person there will be a YouTube video posted on Saint Peter’s website…https://www.stpetersbasalt.org/ shortly after.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Turner Fautsko’s GoFund Me. As an occupational therapist and friend to Turner’s family, Mary enjoyed following his progress. https://www.gofundme.com/f/turner-fautsko