Obituary of Carrie Lynne Zanders

Carrie Lynne Zanders unexpectedly passed away at home on December 23, 2023. Born April 28, 1970 in Boise, Idaho to Kenneth and June Zanders. Carrie was the middle of three children and enjoyed being a little and big sister.

After attending schools in Boise, she graduated from Boise State University with an Advertising Design degree using her artistic talents. Later she would continue her education at Idaho State University earning a Masters of Counseling degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.

She operated her own counseling service for a few years, but ultimately found her calling working at Saint Alphonsus Hospital. She started her career there in 1998 in the Cancer Center where she met the love of her life, Eric Foss, a patient at the Center. Carrie and Ricky were married in June 1999. They enjoyed two wonderful years before Ricky passed in 2001.

Carrie continued to work for St. Al’s becoming the Regional Coordinator for Community Health and Wellbeing. She enjoyed her work in this position and in October 2023 she was asked to apply for and became a Community Health and Wellbeing Analyst for the parent company Trinity Health in Michigan. She was very excited for her new position and was looking forward to the new challenges. Her work family was very close to her and she enjoyed several volunteer opportunities through St. Al’s affiliation including Festival of Trees, Capital Classic children’s run and Relay for Life.

Carrie’s friend group was not limited to her work family, she also kept in touch with elementary school friends as well as new friendships with her sisters in Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

Carrie’s true passion was her family. She loved spending time with her sister, brother-in-law and their three sons. She was an integral part of their family spending all holidays, family events and Sunday night dinner where the boys couldn’t wait to see what Aunt Carrie would make for dessert. We considered her an honorary O’Harra. She also very much enjoyed spending time with her stepchildren from her marriage to Ricky. She loved to travel to visit uncles, aunts and cousins out of town.

When not with family or friends, Carrie was out photographing beautiful scenery to come home and paint. She was a talented artist with a very deft paintbrush. At home she also loved to cuddle with her cat, Jake. Baseball season would find Carrie and her good friend Ruth utilizing their season tickets to the Boise Hawks Baseball games. She looked forward to it every year and always eagerly awaited next season.

Carrie’s unexpected departure leaves behind her sister and best friend, Reacheal O’Harra and her husband, Shane, whom she considered a true brother and their children: Ben, (wife Kallie and daughter Jaye), Aaron and Spencer; brother, Rick Zanders and his son Jonny and her stepchildren: Joseph and Haily Foss. She also leaves behind many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends who truly loved her. We know she is welcomed in the afterlife by Ricky, her parents, grandparents and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. Remember her fondly.

Graveside services will be held at Dry Creek Cemetery, 9600 W. Hill Rd, Boise, January 10, 2024 at 1 pm. All are welcome. A reception will follow the burial at First Presbyterian Church, 950 W. State Street, Boise where all are welcome to attend and share their love of Carrie.