Kind and caring, compassionate and loving, Margaret Foster, 86, passed away on June 20, 2017.
Margaret’s British parents were from Kirkintilloch, Scotland and Leeds, England. She grew up in Allston and was a cheerleader at Brighton High School. She married the love of her life, William Phillips Foster, Jr. in 1953 and lived in Andover at Phil's family farm, the Ballard-Foster Homestead, where 13 generations of the Foster family have resided. The house (c. 1660) and barn are still standing.
Margaret raised four children and worked outside the home, but always found time to volunteer. She spent countless hours at the Lawrence General Hospital, Andover Thrift Shop, West and Sanborn Elementary Schools and the Andover Historical Society. She was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and deacon at the South Church among other activities. Margaret's deep faith in God led her through a full life with grace and joy. She lived with notes to herself on her kitchen wall. As one of them says, she truly believed that “The best is yet to come.”
She is survived by her sister, Julia Ann Newton, her children Cheryl R. Foster, Karen Foster-Gervacio, William P. Foster III and Rachel Cloutier and their spouses, and cherished grandchildren, Michelle, Kristina and Jack Cloutier, Carlos William and John Diego Gervacio, and Kelsey Foster. She was predeceased by her husband, William Phillips Foster Jr.
Her funeral service will be held at South Church, 41 Central Street, Andover on Friday, June 23, 2017, at 10 AM. Calling hours will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Thursday, June 22, 2017, from 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret's memory may be made to the South Church Samaritan Fund or the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.