Miriam Thrall Foster, of Urbana, IL, died quietly in her home on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. She had been in hospice home care for 16 months.

Born in Cisco, IL, March 20, 1921, to Harold and Elizabeth Thrall, Miriam received a degree Music Education in 1943 from the University of Illinois. She married George N. Foster in 1943, with whom she raised four sons. When they had just about left the nest she returned to school and earned a Master's Degree in Education in 1974, and subsequently taught for 10 years for Urbana Adult Education. She was a devoted pianist and piano teacher, and saw that all of her sons studied musical instruments, so there was always music in the home. Miriam and George became foster parents to William Lam, originally of Vietnam, in 1980. A humanitarian by nature, she was highly active in the Civil Rights Movement and various peace activities in the 60's and 70's. Later she was a hospice volunteer for 10 years. Animals were always a significant part of the household, not only dogs and cats, but often rescued animals such as birds, squirrels. She was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Urbana.

Miriam is survived by her four sons, James, of Urbana, IL, Benjamin, of Boulder, CO, Daniel, of Ypsilanti, MI, and Norman, of Honolulu, HI; her foster son, William Lam of Bloomington, IL; and her brother, James Thrall, of South Bend, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, to whom she was devoted, and her sister, Elizabeth, to whom she was close.

Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 12, 2010 at Wesley United Methodist Church. Rev. Steve Shoemaker will officiate. Burial will be Clements Cemetery in Urbana. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel 1900 S. Philo Rd. Urbana. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.