Virginia L. Foster
January 6, 1927 ~ March 29, 2019
Portland - Virginia Lemery Foster, 92, died on March 29, 2019, in Portland. She spent the past 47 years living on Peaks Island, a place she loved. Virginia was born, the youngest of four children, on Jan. 6, 1927, in Bethel, VT to the late Will and Eva Lemery, who moved at South Royalton, VT around 1930. There Virginia attended South Royalton schools, graduating in 1945. She married Stanley Foster, a WWII Veteran in 1947, and had one son, Donald, who survives her; along with several nieces.
She worked for Vermont Extension Service at Chelsea, VT, South Royalton Library, Petco Oil Company, and for the Maine State Court System. She was a clerk at the Portland Court House for twenty years, retiring about 25 years ago to the life she loved on the island. There she read, did crosswords, tended to her flowers, crocheted beautiful afghans and watch the Celtics, of which she was a life-long fan.
Virginia was descendant, on her mother's side, of Miles Standish, but when offered a membership to the D.A.R., she said, "I don't want to be a Mother of the Constitution!" She was a Vermont Yankee - unassuming, independent, dignified, humorous and strong willed. During her last conversation with Donald, she said, "They want to give me a blood transfusion," then smiling added, "so if my personality changes you'll know why." She also said that she wanted to go home to her lovely view of the Atlantic. I hope she has.
Many thanks to the endlessly kind, caring staff of Mercy Hospital and at Seaside, to Kitty Gilbert, her nurse practitioner on the island and her friends and neighbors there.
There will be no formal services, but a memorial will be arranged on the island this summer. A private burial will be with her family in South Royalton, VT. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. To view Virginia's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Memorial contributions can be made in Virginia's memory to the Peaks Island Health Center, PO Box 52, Peaks Island ME 04108 USA
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It was always such a treat to visit with Virginia. My ostensible purpose may have been to drop off some Meals on Wheels but I always left feeling better about myself. Occasionally I got in a bit of trouble if I stopped to talk with her before making other deliveries. They got delayed because of great conversations with her. I was instructed to make her meal delivery last for that reason. Virginia had the most positive outlook and was a great conversationalist with her quick,curious mind. I loved to talk books with her; she read challenging biographies and was always up on the latest political issues, with progressive opinions. And she always had a welcoming smile and ready laugh. Oh she is missed on Peaks. A rare gem. Rest in peace.
– Betsey Remage-Healey