Oral (Normandin) Foster, 82, a lifelong New Hampshire resident, passed peacefully on October 10, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Manchester on December 26, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Adrien E. and Oral (Gates) Normandin. She was raised in Manchester and Bedford and was a member of the Manchester West High School class of 1957. She went on to receive an associate’s degree from Westbrook Junior College in Portland, Maine.
She was the wife of Robert D. Foster with whom she shared a fifty-seven-year marriage. In addition to her husband, she leaves her beloved children, daughter Amy Foster Lonczak and her husband Jonathan of Lexington, MA; son Peter J. Foster of Manchester; her brother Peter Normandin and his wife Kathy; sister-in-law Michele Normandin; brother-in-law Michael Foster and his wife, Phyllis; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Upon graduating from Westbrook, Oral worked for several years for Davison Construction Company and later for the Manchester Girls & Boys Club. She also started her own business, Creative Consignment Exchange, an antiques and collectibles consignment store which she owned and ran for several years. She was a patriotic American and a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Oral was an active and recognized member of her local community. She served in many capacities for the Manchester Girls & Boys Club, Manchester Historic Association, Manchester Garden Club, Friends of Stark Park, and others. She was a devoted member of the Elliot Hospital Associates, during one period serving as co-president and holding a seat on the Hospital Board of Trustees. Some of her proudest achievements were serving as co-chair of their nationally recognized Antiques Show fundraiser and designing and building the 1890s Café at the hospital.
Always with a smile and a contagious laugh, Oral was a captivating storyteller and a true “people person.” Spending time with her family and friends was her greatest joy. She knew how to make things special and make the people around her feel special, too. Her many natural gifts and talents caused her to be in high demand when events and celebrations were being planned. Holidays brought out the best in Oral; she was a gracious hostess who took great joy in decorating and bringing people together. She enjoyed time in her garden, was a fantastic home cook and a voracious reader, loved antiquing and the beach, and always had a fondness for the family dogs. Her inner light shined brightly on all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.
A private memorial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Oral's name to the Varick Fund, c/o Elliot Hospital, One Elliot Way, Manchester, NH 03103; Friends of Stark Park, P.O. Box 1485, Manchester, NH 03105, or Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054.
J.N. Boufford & Sons is in charge of arrangements.
For more information and online guestbook please visit www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.