Mary Elizabeth Fossier, age 81, of Plano, Texas, passed away February 10, 2016. Mary was born August 19, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Albert Joseph and Veronica (Burling) Willoz. She graduated from Dominican High School in New Orleans in 1952. Mary graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines, the first American to achieve that honor. Mary married Leonard J. Fossier on April 24, 1954, in New Orleans. After traveling throughout her husband’s military career, the family settled in Plano, Texas. In 1973 Mary attended East Texas College and received a teaching certificate. She continued going to college classes while teaching, receiving a Kindergarten certificate and a Master’s degree from North Texas State and TWU. She completed almost all coursework on a Ph.D. Mary was a teacher, coordinator, and principal in the Plano ISD until her retirement in 1996. During this tenure, Forman Elementary received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence which afforded her much pride. Her family was the joy of her life. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard J. Fossier, Sr. of Plano, Texas; children, Leonard J. Fossier, Jr., and wife, Laura of Plano, Texas, Jimmy A. Fossier, of Plano, Mary Ann White and husband, Gary also of Plano, Lisa Cronin and husband, Tim of Dallas, Texas, David G. Fossier of Rockwall, Texas, and Mona Rebecca Burton and husband, Dennis of Plano; grandchildren, Sarah, Eden, Brittany, Leonard, III, Jacquelyn, James, Mark, Stefanie, Nicole, Clay, Catie, Ben, Ellie, Ethan, Sam, Lily, Rachel, and Drew; and great-grandchildren, Caden, Ava, Emmitt, and Jacob.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandchild, Christina.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2016, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Friday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas with a rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m.