Mary Lynn Foster, 1976

Mary Lynn Foster Graduated from STA 1976

Education: Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Purdue University in West Lafayette and graduated with BSN in Nursing from IUPUI

Where do you live now: In Hazelwood, IN, just West of Indianapolis

What have you been up to since STA? After nursing school, I worked at IU Hospital with adults and then moved onto Riley Hospital for children in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (a level 3 nursery) in 1987.  I have been there ever since!  At Riley I have specialized work as an ECMO Clinician (someone that specializes in the use of a form of heart lung bypass for sick children).

Personally, I moved our family to Hazelwood, IN 9 years ago to fulfill a childhood dream — having a horse farm!  Our family had owned horses for several years, been involved with riding, lessons, 4H, horse shows and even breeding American Saddlebreds but having a place of my own was a big leap of faith.  I own and operate Trinity Farm LLC, a family-owned and operated equestrian facility where we teach riding & horsemanship, facilitate all ages of learning about horses from the Tiny Tots that have pony party’s to the Girl Scouts working on a horse badge to the adults wanting to renew a passion from the past.

Most recently, we started our first School Equestrian Club at St. Thomas, all from a childhood memory of having a ‘horse club’ after school.

Please tell us about your family.  I have two daughters, both graduates of STA.  Abra Jean Foster is in her 3rd year of veterinary school at Purdue.  Abra is married to Matt Pike (also an STA graduate) and working on his doctorate at Purdue as well.  Abra and Matt still live in Indianapolis when not at school.

My youngest daughter is Hannah Stilwell and she is a riding instructor and trains horses in Greenwood.  Hannah is the mother of my grandson, Caiden who is 6 years old.  Hannah and Caiden live in Clayton which is just 3 miles from the farm.

What is your favorite STA memory?  My favorite memory from STA is playing basketball and kickball.  Loved when we had winning teams!

What do you like to do in your spare time?  I like to walk our pasture with my grandson, make dinners with the family,      spend time by my pond and read. Of course riding is on my list too!!

What words of advice would you offer a current STA student?  Believe in your dreams and dream big – they have
an amazing way of coming true.

Is there any other information you would like to share about yourself?  My most joyful times come from sharing my passion of horses with people.  I love my family.   I love my work as a nurse and I love my work as a horse farm owner.  I get to watch miracles happen and dreams come true.  My family is rooted in the STA community.  I’m grateful my parents chose to raise myself and my  brothers and sisters at St. Thomas Aquinas.