Marian Jean Wolf Foss, known as Jean to family and friends, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2016 in Boulder, CO. She was 77 years old.
Jean was born in Sheffield, Alabama on January 1, 1939 and spent her early childhood in Dallas, Texas. Her family moved to Boulder where she went to University Hill Elementary School and Boulder High School, graduating in 1956.
Jean studied Anthropology at University of Colorado Boulder and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1960. While at CU, Jean was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and met many lifelong friends including her best friend and husband Bob. Jean and Bob married in Ward, CO on October 1, 1960. For her graduate studies, Jean attended University of Arizona. While in Tuscon, Jean and Bob were blessed with the birth of their daughter Karin.
Jean and her family returned to Colorado in 1963 and Jean began her career in elementary education in Boulder County. She taught 1st grade at Nederland Elementary, 4th and 5th grade at Paddock Elementary and at Mapleton Elementary before teaching 4th grade, her favorite, at Foothills Elementary School for the remainder of her career. A life-long educator, she taught for 30 years and retired in 1998.
Jean and Bob traveled around the world, including four extended overseas trips. Her love for travel began when, in the summer of 1960, she was part of the first American student group to travel to Russia.
Jean was well known in the Nederland and Boulder communities for her big smile, kind heart, and delicious cooking. In Nederland, Jean was active in the Ned’s Reds group and hosted the mystery luncheon every year. In addition to spending time with friends and family, Jean had an incredible passion for reading and she was instrumental in the building of the Nederland Community Library and served as President of the Foundation Board. She passed her passion for reading not only to the students she taught but also to her daughter and granddaughters who have bookshelves full of well-read historical fiction and fantasy books.
Jean is survived by her husband Robert Foss of Nederland, CO; daughter Karin Foss Barker of Edwards, CO; son-in-law Robert Barker of Edwards, CO; granddaughters Bria and Erin Barker of Washington, DC and Edwards, CO, respectively; brother William Wolf of San Jose, CA; and niece Lara Wolf and nephew Mark Wolf.
A public service of remembrance will be held on Sunday, February 14th at 2:00 pm at the Nederland Community Library. Memorial donations may be made in Jean’s name to the Nederland Community Library at PO Box 1226, Nederland, CO 80466.
