FOSIE L. (McGOVERN) STEPHENSON

Longtime Troy resident, Fosie L. (McGovern) Stephenson, died while surrounded by family on Saturday, May 31, 2014. She was 82. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Charles Jr and Ruth (Harper) McGovern, Fosie traveled internationally as the child of a military father, having graduated from high school in Japan. When she returned to the United States, Fosie attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

While working for the US Department of Defense in Heidelberg, Germany, Fosie met her own handsome GI, the late Frayne "Steve" Stephenson. They married in October 1957. To their marriage, Fosie and Steve raised five children who survive: sons, Mark (Charlotte) and Scott (Kim) of Troy, OH; daughters, Sue and Ruthie (Paul) Dyer of Sarasota, FL, and Lori of Dayton, OH. Fosie is also survived by her grandsons, Zachary and Derek of Troy; and siblings, Charles III (Tina), Michael, Mary (Jim) Tucker, and Joseph; as well as other extended family. In addition to her parents and husband, Fosie was also predeceased by her beloved aunt, Josephine McGovern.

Never having met a stranger, Fosie could strike up a conversation with anyone. She found her greatest company though to be her children, to whom she dedicated her life. A woman with the most generous and loving heart, Fosie will also be remembered for her feistiness, her great affection for animals, and unique sense of humor, which was never lost in her battle with dementia.

The family would like to thank the loving caretakers of SpringMeade Health Center and Hospice of Miami County...your services are invaluable. In Fosie's honor and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be considered to the Miami County Humane Society, the Alzheimer's Association, or the COPD Foundation.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, June 5th, from 5 to 7 PM at Baird Funeral Home in Troy. Graveside services will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a future date. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com .