Liana Foesten Railsback

Liana Foesten Railsback, aged 86, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Ouaquaga, New York, on June 12, 2026. Liana was born on January 13, 1940, in Binghamton, New York, where her mother’s family had been longtime residents and founders of Larkin Music House.

Liana grew up in Newton, New Jersey, and Glenview, Illinois, and spent her summers at her family’s farm, Hollow Hill, in Harpursville, New York. She graduated from Glenbrook North High School in Glenview and attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Liana earned her undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

While at Earlham, Liana met Stephen M. Railsback. They were married in 1960, had two children, and were divorced in 1983. Liana and Steve raised their children in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

While living in the Chicago area, Liana attended the Unity Church and was active as a singer-actress in community theatre. At the age of 50, Liana returned to college and earned a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

After earning her master’s degree, Liana moved to Rockport, Massachusetts, having fallen in love with coastal New England. She worked as a social worker and therapist in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and then returned to Binghamton to help care for her mother. In Binghamton, Liana worked as a hospital chaplain. She was known for being an excellent listener who was present for people in their time of need. Liana often gave friends and clients cassette recordings of spiritual programs she felt would be helpful for them in overcoming their personal challenges.

Liana was active in both the First Congregational Church and the Unity Church where she was a board member. She regularly attended Binghamton Symphony concerts and First Friday events, and she was an avid birdwatcher who could identify many songs of Northeastern birds.

Late in life, Liana reunited with Russel “Skip” Ahner, whom she had known as a teenager during her summers at Hollow Hill. Liana and Skip lived together in Skip’s home in Ouaquaga, New York, until her passing.

Liana is survived by her partner Skip Ahner; her children, Stephanie T. Railsback (David Motto) of Leverett, Massachusetts, and Brent F. Railsback (Janet) of Mequon, Wisconsin; her grandsons Eric Railsback (Amanda) of Germantown, Wisconsin, and Kevin Railsback of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her sister Karla Foesten Hill of Ashland City, Tennessee; her nieces Elaina Tyce (Adam) of Houston, Missouri, Heather Larkin Vogler of Ashland City, Tennessee, and Holly Vogler (Frank O’Donnell) of Bear, Delaware; as well as two grandnephews and two grandnieces. Liana was predeceased by her former husband Stephen Railsback and by her parents Karl Foesten and Dorothy Larkin Foesten.

A memorial service will be held later in the year at Liana’s beloved family farm, Hollow Hill. For information on the service, please contact Liana’s daughter Stephanie at stephanierailsback@gmail.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Liana Foesten Railsback, please visit our floral store.