Carol Marvel Foster, MD died on June 22 in Salt Lake City due to glioblastoma multiforme, a malignant brain tumor. Carol was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 12, 1952, to internist and allergist Howard Roland Marvel, MD and chemist Margaret Paulson Marvel. She grew up in Lafayette and West Lafayette, Indiana with her three siblings. Carol attended Purdue University where she received a BS in Chemistry. She completed an MD degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where she met and married her husband Norman Louis Foster, MD. She and Norman moved to Salt Lake City in 1977, where she completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of Utah. While at Utah, she was a pediatric life flight doctor caring for children picked up from all over Utah and surrounding areas in helicopters and planes. Carol and Norman moved to Maryland in 1981 where Carol was a medical staff fellow in Pediatric Endocrinology for 3 years at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. This began her career in medical research where she became an expert in precocious puberty and McCune-Albright syndrome, a rare genetic endocrine, bone and kidney disease. Her son, Dan, was born in 1982. The family moved to Ann Arbor in 1984 where Carol was a research fellow in Physiology at the University of Michigan in the laboratory of Jessica Schwartz studying growth and puberty before accepting a faculty position in the Department of Pediatrics in 1985. Her daughter, Sarah, was born in Ann Arbor in 1986. Continuing to run her own laboratory, teach and with a busy clinical load, she rapidly advanced through the academic ranks to full tenured professor. At Michigan, she served as Director of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Associate Director of the General Clinical Research Center, and Director of the Michigan Newborn Screening Program.
In 2005, after both of her children had graduated from high school and moved away from home, Carol and Norman moved to Salt Lake City. Carol continued her career at the University of Utah as tenured Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology. Much of her effort was devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and she led an active clinical trials program. She cared for patients and supervised residents at Primary Children’s Hospital, Ogden Regional Hospital and Riverton Hospital. She founded and led the fellowship program in Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Utah. She also was the first pediatric endocrinologist in the transgender clinic. By the time of her retirement in 2021, her formal 22-page curriculum vitae included 60 papers, 9 book chapters and 45 grants and contracts. She touched many lives. She listened to, and passionately fought for the children she treated. She excelled as a teacher and was a mentor and advocate for the many residents and fellows she trained. She was especially supportive of women in medicine and the disadvantaged.
In addition to academic pursuits, Carol played the guitar, loved to read, was an avid hiker, and enjoyed traveling. She liked to knit, crochet and quilt. She produced many blankets, crochet animals for her grandchildren, and beautiful quilts for her family. She was a long-time patron of the symphony and Pioneer Theater and supported many charities. Her family always was her first priority, and the successes of her two children her greatest achievement.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Norman L. Foster, MD., her son Daniel Alexander Foster of South Jordan, Utah (Franny Bechek), her daughter Sarah Elizabeth Fees (Jesse), and 5 grandchildren: Solomon, Atticus, and Ayla Foster, Nolan and Luther Fees. Also surviving are her brother Howard Marvel (Mary), and sisters Barbara McNutt (Steve) and Janet Marvel (Albert Fowerbaugh).
A reception will be held at 6:30PM on Thursday June 27 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) with service to follow at 7PM. For those unable to attend, the service will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the "Watch Services" link above. Donations can be made to The Foster Family Fellowship and Faculty Endowment in Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinical Research at the University of Utah.
Donations by mail:
To the University of Utah Office of Advancement
332 S 1400 E, Suite 150
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Reference: Dr. Carol Foster Memorial Gift to Pediatric Endocrinology
Donations online:
https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/2984
Reference: Dr. Carol Foster Memorial Gift to Pediatric Endocrinology
Dr. Foster was one of my favorite endocrinologists to work with. She was so funny and so straight forward. Her patients loved her and I could absolutely see why! The world truly lost one of the greats and Dr. Foster's passing will leave a hole in our hearts. We love you Carol.
I enjoyed working with Carol at Primary Children's Diabetes Clinic. She was a great doctor and had such a sense of humor. She always asked the children what they wanted to be when they grew up, suggesting they should become a Rocket Scientist. She was a good friend, mentor and leader in our clinic. I will l miss her. Best wishes to her family.
Dr. Foster will truly be missed, she was such a wonderful person. Still to this day, patient in the diabetes clinic talk about her and how she impacted their lives. I will always remember her fun sense of humor and I will cherish my memories of her. My condolences to the Foster family.
So sorry for your loss. She was a great provider. You all are in my prayers.
Dear Mr (Dr) Foster,
I worked with Carol initially at the U of MI and then we both moved to SLC and the U of UT. I had the pleasure of working with Carol clinically and with a couple of research
studies. I always found her wise and clear headed.
She told me that you two were the first U of MI couple to both get promoted on the instructional track. That is impressive but Carol was wonderful in many was and I knw=ow that she will be missed.
Dear Norm, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I fondly remember her from our days in Michigan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I hope you find comfort in the support of those around you. With deepest sympathy, Satoshi
Dr. Foster was kindhearted and was a wonderful teacher and physician. She had a gentle touch, was witty, and was very kind to medical trainees. I always enjoyed being in clinic with her. I am thankful that our paths crossed. May God bless all of her loved ones.
Dearest Dan, Franny and Family,
Although I had only meant your mom once before, I know that she was a talented, loving, and caring lady because she was the mom to Dan who is also talented, caring, and loving.
May gentle memories of her comfort you in the days ahead. My heart is with you all at this difficult time. Love, Aunt Jackie
Dr. Foster was a true role model. I worked with her for 20 years.
I am very sorry about your loss. It is a great loss for all who knew her. My deepest sympathies.
My condolences to Dr. Carol Foster’s family. Carol was my research mentor when I was a pediatric endocrine fellow at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor between 1994-1997. She was a wonderful teacher, mentor and a friend. She will be missed.
I vividly remember how kind and patient Dr. Foster was with me whenever I called her as an intern at PCH in the middle of the night with questions about how to care for her hospitalized patients. She had such a kind heart and was such a gracious teacher. I am so sorry for your loss.
I loved working with Carol at Primary Children's in Pediatric Endocrinology. She was one of my favorite providers to work with. She had a great sense of humor and her smile was infectious. She will truly be missed.
Norman - Very sorry to learn of Carol's death. She was certainly an impressive individual. Please let me know if I can do anything for you or your family.
Dr. Foster was a wonderful teacher and mentor. She was always there for everyone. I learned so much from her during fellowship and after. She will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.
Words cannot fully express my gratitude for the guidance, wisdom, and support you have given me over the years. Your mentorship has profoundly impacted my life and career, and I am forever grateful for the lessons you have taught me.
Your kindness, patience, and encouragement have shaped me into the person I am today. I will always cherish the memories of our time together and strive to honor your legacy in all that I do.
Thank you for everything. You will be deeply missed.
Dear Norman,
Kathie Supiano just wrote to me about your wife's death. I am so sad to hear that. I was so impressed by her achievements and her passions and interests in her life. She sounds like a wonderful person and I have so much sympathy for you, your children and grandchildren. I really missed you when you left Ann Arbor but it seems you have had a good life in Utah.
Warm wishes and sympathy,
Ruth Campbell (social worker at Turner Clinic)
Carol's office was across the hall from mine at the Utah Diabetes Center and I always enjoyed those simple, everyday contacts we had; she could make a trip to the opthalmologist's office to pick out new frames for our glasses into an adventure worthy of Alice. Her sense of play enlivened what might be tragic events faced in her professional life daily. Her intelligence and broad interests made her approachable to both her patients and her peers. We shared time spent in Ann Arbor, love of quilting and many more basic activities. It's hard to believe she is no longer living, but her influence will extend far beyond what our shared experiences have been. She will be greatly missed and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends.