Maydelle Foster Fason, a woman who possessed an infamous streak of irreverence, died at 88 on —-. Her subtle—and lifelong—resistance to conformity served her well in creating a life of adventure, purpose and great fun.
Maydelle was born in 1938, grew up in San Antonio, Texas and was the valedictorian of Alamo Heights High school in 1954. She was often told that she “acted too smart” and “too bossy” and therefore wouldn’t find a husband. (Quote here?) While pursuing a chemistry degree at the University of Texas in Austin and continuing to buck trends as the sole female in the department, she met a man who was smitten by that incomparable wit, as well as her elegance and beauty. Sam Fason married Maydelle and the two remained in love and best friends for more than 60 years.
Continuing to be a young woman full of contradictions, in 1962, Maydelle was celebrated as Queen of Fiesta while also working as a medical researcher. Soon after, as newlyweds, the two managed to secure a much desired military posting in Japan. It was here, for 3 years, that Sam and Maydelle cemented their devotion to travel, studying and absorbing other cultures, languages and lands. Maydelle taught English while in Japan, earned a much revered flower-arranging certificate, learned Japanese and had her first child. The love of travel with Sam continued for 60 plus years: boat rides down canals, bike rides over mountains, exploring remote villages, discovering hidden shrines, and perhaps most importantly, eating delicious food all over the world.
The love of good food continued at home in Austin where Maydelle was well known for her dinner parties and particularly her excellent desserts; she was written about and deemed the “Dessert Queen of Austin,” in this periodical in 197?-. Anyone who knew Maydelle became the lucky recipient of some of her famous recipes: toffee, floating island, buttermilk cake or girdle buster pie to name but a few.
In 1978 Maydelle started an employment program at the Austin Women’s Center designed to assist women re-entering the work force. Maydelle worked tirelessly as a career counselor for 25 years, determined to share a different message about women, ambition and work. Maydelle taught high school classes to girls on non-traditional jobs for women, classes on resume writing, interviewing and career change. In recognition of her work she was elected to the Governors Commission of Women and Leadership Austin.
Due to Maydelle’s love and wonder at science and nature it is no surprise that she became, as early as the mid 70’s, before it was fashionable, a “rabid and obsessive” environmentalist and recycler. She felt a spiritual connection to nature and a determination to fight for its protection. She was on the board of the Bamberger Ranch and was appointed to the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, becoming instrumental in pushing through the zero waste ordinance in Austin.
Maydelle’s love for plays, stories, poetry, words and grammar (woe to he/she who erred grammatically in her presence) were unparalleled. But without a doubt the great loves of her life were her devoted husband, Sam, her two children, Drake and Maydelle, their spouses Kristin and Daniel, her 5 grandchildren, Sam, Claire, Kate, Sylvie, Vaughan and her legions of friends of all ages harkening from every corner of the world. She is predeceased by her parents Maydelle Vaughan Foster and Ben Foster and survived by her younger brother Ben Foster Jr.
Maydelle left scads of writing behind, among them a short essay on Einstein: “I have always been crazy about the guy,” which included a quote that would serve as a guiding principle for her life: “The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, a snuffed out candle.”
In lieu of flowers her family request that any donations be sent to The Nature Conservancy, The Wildflower Center, Planned Parenthood or Literacy First.
