Sara L. Foster

Sara Foster passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Sara Parker Foster was born on August 16, 1943 to Clarence Ted Parker and Erma Wilsey Parker of New Harmony, Ind. She spent her childhood growing up on her father’s farm with her brothers, sister and a myriad of animals. She enjoyed riding her horse, Midge, and playing with her beloved Sheepdog, Woofy. One of her most prized possessions was a silver belt buckle she won for barrel racing at the Posey County 4-H Fair. She was also proud of the scar on her calf from getting too close to the barrels. Sara attended New Harmony School first-twelfth grades. She excelled in English and loved singing in the choir (and she also loved telling stories about Mrs. Blake).

After graduating in 1961, Sara moved to Evansville, Ind., to work at a bank and attend Tri-State Beauty College, where she earned her license as a beautician. While living in Evansville, she met Neil Pagano. Sara and Neil married in Evansville in October 1963 and resided at Ft. Campbell, Ky. In 1965 they moved to Port Chester, NY where their two children, Gina Maria and Michael Neil, were born. The family returned to New Harmony in 1974. Sara became a member of Tri-Kappa and founded the first Parents and Teachers (PAT) council at New Harmony School. She was the driving force behind the fundraising, planning and building of the new playground at the school. Over the years she poured her heart and soul into restoring their Victorian home on Main Street, hosting Mary Kay parties for all the ladies and teenage girls in town and having large family get-togethers.

In the mid-1980’s Sara became a volunteer instructor for Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS) to help combat adult illiteracy in the United States. She took great pride in helping adults learn to read and write. In 1990 she moved to Hammond, Ind., and on February 27 she married Jim Foster. For the next 28 years Sara was an active member of the Hammond and Lake County communities. She founded the Indi-Illi Neighborhood Watch program, the semi-annual neighborhood yard sale and pot luck and the annual Hammond Police Department Cookie-Bake Give-Back. She was recognized for her support of local law enforcement by the Hammond Police Chief. Sara and Jim returned to New Harmony in 2018 to live out their retirement years in their hometown.

Sara is preceded in death by her parents; husband: Jim; brothers, sister, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Clarence Gilbert Parker, Teddy Paul Parker, John Parker, Don (Shirley) Parker, Wilma (Coleman) Heriges, Glen (Vonda) Parker and Jim Lewis; nieces and nephew: Julie, Doug and DeeAnn.

She is survived by her children: Gina Pagano Redwine (Jim) and Michael Neil Pagano (Heide); grandchildren: Nicholas Redwine, Elyse Redwine, Dan (Mandira) Stanko and Lynne Stanko; great-grandchildren: Samara and Jahan Stanko; brother: Steve (Mary Lou) Parker; sisters-in-law: Jean Parker and Bennie Marie Foster Lewis; and several nieces and nephews.

Gina and Michael would like to express their deep appreciation to the caring and compassionate staff at the Charles Ford Memorial Home and Hospice in Harmony for the loving care they bestowed upon their mom. And a very special “We love you” to their Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle Steve for being the incredible human beings they are and always have been.

After a private graveside service, a Celebration of Life brunch will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Parish House, 512 Granary Street, in New Harmony, Ind.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the Charles Ford Memorial Home and Hospice in Harmony.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family online at: www.werryfuneralhomes.com.