Mari Jane (Van Matre) Faris Foster, 88, Kansas City, Mo, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2005. She died as she lived with grace and dignity, compassion, and love for all. Funeral services at Newcomer's Floral Hills Chapel. Burial in Floral Hills Cemetery.

Mari Jane was born August 19, 1917 in Richland County, Illinois to William and Susie (Kissinger) Van Matre. After her father's death in 1928, she moved with her family to Olney, Illinois where she became member of the Order of Eastern Star. Her wonderful sense of inquisitiveness and adventure brought her to Kansas City in 1942.

In 1943, she married Dr. Louie Emerson Faris, who founded Floral Hills, Inc., and Floral Hills Memorial Chapels, as well as the concept of pre-need funerals. After his death in 1952, Mari Jane continued as president. She served as a director in the Associated Cemeteries of Missouri and as a member of South Central Business Association. Her goal was to continue serving people with love and compassion in their time of need. She earned respect as a woman in business ownership and management in Kansas City at a time when women were definitely in the minority in these positions.

She also continued raising their daughter, Cheryl, with her strong, deep, unconditional, and everlasting love. This, she extended to her grandson, Ryan, and to her great-grandchildren, Bella and Lake. She was married to A.L. Foster for 25 years until his death in 1980.

Since 1942, she remained a loyal and devoted member of the Raytown Christian Church. It was at church that she met Richard Bradley, the last love and most devoted companion of her life.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Eils and her husband Robert, his daughter Ashlee, her grandson Ryan Williams and his wife Jaime and two great-grandchildren, Bella and Lake Williams.

She will be remembered with love and respect by all who passed through her life.

Kansas City Star, The (MO) - Wednesday, November 2, 2005