‘It blessed us in many ways:’ In 50 years, suburban woman has been a foster mom to over 100 babies
GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — In honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, WGN’s Erin McElroy has the story of a woman who has been a mom to many.
Besides raising her own three children with her husband Herb, Joanie White felt called to foster.
“A boy said to me, ‘What’s in it for you?’ she said. “Well, sometimes we do things that benefits somebody else.”
Over 50 years, White has fostered 143 babies. She took in babies until they could be returned to their mothers or adopted by a family.
Photos: WGN anchors and reporters celebrate Mother’s Day
She was 70 when she handed over her last foster baby.
“It blessed us in many ways. We are still friends with many, many of these babies,” she said. “One of our babies became our godchild.”
Joanie and Herb now live in a senior living facility, but every corner still carries a piece of their special past.
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