Wednesday, November 13, 2024 7:51 am

STRAFFFORD - Patricia H. Foss of Parker Mountain Farm in Strafford died on Nov. 9, 2024, at the age of 98.

She was born in Brattleboro, Vt., a daughter of Walter M. and Ruth (Kipp) Howland, living in Rutland, Vt, before moving to Rochester. She graduated from Spaulding High School and attended the University of New Hampshire. During WWII, she worked for the Navy at their Sylvania plant in Dover, next in the office of the former Cocheco Woolen Mill in East Rochester and then, for many years, with her husband at Foss and Came Insurance Agency.

She served four terms as a Representative to the New Hampshire State Legislature from two wards in Rochester and the Town of Strafford, as a member and former chair of the Commerce Committee. During that time, she was also a delegate to the National Conference of State Legislatures, COIL and AOL. She was privileged to be among the newly elected Republican women invited to Washington for a meeting and a luncheon with President Reagan and being seated at the table of the president. She was a member and past president of Frisbie Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, was a Trustee and former Treasurer of Rochester Cemetery Association, member of Parker Mountain Grange and a longtime member of Rochester Country Club.
She was predeceased by her husband, James L. Foss, to whom she was happily married for over 65 years; by her parents; her brother Peter K. Howland, sister Eugenia H Varney and brother-in-law Edgar G. Varney, Jr. She is survived by her sister-in-law Jacqueline B. Howland of Rochester, niece Kerry H. Roether (Michael) of Strafford, nephews; James Kip Howland (Shawn) of Bradenton; Kevin T. Howland of Rochester; Paul H. Varney (Celeste) and David S. Varney of California; as well as several dear nieces and nephews of her husbands.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff and administration of Watson Fields Assisted Living Facility and Cornerstone Visiting Nurses Association for the care they provided.