Marybelle “Mary” Wathen (Medley) Foor, 88 of Owensboro, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 21, at the Carmel Home. Born January 2, 1937, to the late John A. Medley Sr. and Mary Cecilia Medley.
Mary Wathen, as she was affectionately known, was the eldest of nine children and was a devoted mentor to all of her younger brothers and sisters. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God.
Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by her.
Mary graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1955 and attended Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1956. She returned home to marry the love of her life, William Eugene Foor, “Bill,” on August 27th, 1957. They resided in Owensboro, Kentucky, until moving to Hopkinsville, where their only daughter, Deborah, was born on November 7, 1959.
She spent countless hours with her husband, Bill, helping to grow their pizza business. She enjoyed painting and art lessons and received the Merit Award in 2007 from the Hopkinsville Art Guild for her landscape oil painting ” A Winter in Maine.” Other hobbies included cooking, canning, crocheting, dancing, reading, playing cards with her bridge club, making gift baskets, and knitting Afghan blankets for family and friends. Mary was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and served on the altar society. Mary later worked as a teacher’s aide at Westside Elementary and Hopkinsville High School.
Mary’s love of children led her back to college to become a schoolteacher. She received Director’s List honors at Hopkinsville Community College. Mary transferred to Austin Peay State University, earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Superior Honors, and graduated on May 31, 1974. She received her master’s degree in early childhood education from Murray State University, Kentucky, in December 1978.
Upon completion of her education, she taught at Booker T. Washington Middle School and completed her work experience at North Drive Middle School in 1998. Her teaching career spanned twenty-nine years. During that time, she served six years as a board member at the Christian County School Employees Federal Credit Union and three years as a loan officer. Mary continued to substitute teach after her retirement.
Mary and Bill enjoyed their houseboat with friends and family on Lake Barkley. They eventually returned to land touring in their RV. She especially enjoyed spending time with her only grandson, John Ryan.
In 2007, they returned to Owensboro and became members at the Immaculate Catholic Church. Mary enjoyed spending quality time with her large family. She loved making her gumbo jambalaya and having her mother, siblings, and spouses over to visit. Mary was known for bringing her many delicious and creative cakes to the Medley home on Christmas Eve. She continued her art lessons and gave many paintings to her family and friends.
In addition to her spouse of 52 years, William E. Foor, Mary was preceded in death by her parents John A. and Mary Cecilia O’Bryan Medley, her sisters, Sarah Jane Medley Kuntz and Frances E. Medley McNulty; brothers, John A. Medley Jr.; Thomas A. Medley; and Benedict F. Medley; sister-in-law, Carol B. Medley; and brother-in-law Gerard B. Kuntz Sr.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Deborah F. Baker (John); grandson, John Ryan Baker; sister Ellen Medley Accurso; brothers, William M. Medley and Daniel S. Medley (Kathy); brother-in-law John E. McNulty; sisters-in-law Mary K. Medley; Susan M. Medley; and Denise M. Medley; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral Mass for Mary will be 10 AM Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Immaculate Catholic Church. Visitation will be on Friday, January 2, from 4 PM until 7 PM at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, with prayers at 6:30, and on Saturday, from 9 AM until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will follow at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery.
The family of Mary would like to thank Immaculate Catholic Church for their many prayers, cards, and visits. The family will be eternally grateful for the Carmel Home Staff, Fr. Ray Clark, and the love and care shown by Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathen’s Crossing, Owensboro, KY, 42303, and/or St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
