GLOUCESTER: Janet Foster, 83, a lifelong resident of Lanesville, died Wednesday evening after a brief illness.
Born in Gloucester on October 6, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Gladys (Woodbury) Foster. She was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1945.
Janet’s first and favorite job as a teenager was as a “Soda Jerk” at her father’s store, “Foster’s Drug Store,” making milkshakes and sundaes for the customers. Later she worked for Stop and Shop in Gloucester and the Lanesville Market owned by the Doyle Family of Lanesville. She also worked for the Building Center and retired after working eighteen years in the office. Her last job was working for Nichol’s Candies as a clerk and loved being around all the wonderful chocolates.
She was very proud of the photographs of her father Fred and uncle Howard that chronicled the history of Lanesville from the 1890’s to the 1940’s in the book “Villages at Lanes Cove.” Janet loved gardening, knitting and sewing and made many beautiful sweaters and clothing for her daughter, Susan, over the years. She also enjoyed visits to her sister’s home on Cape Cod and spending time at Merry Meeting Lake in New Hampshire.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Foster Lumbruno and son-in-law, Bill Lumbruno; a sister, Elizabeth D. Cash of Cape Cod; a niece, Linda Cash; a nephew, Wayne Cash and his wife, Dorie; their children, Michael and Michelle, Linda Cash’s three daughters and many special cousins and lifelong friends. She was also predeceased by her sister, Marion Foster in 2008.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday morning in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Locust Grove Cemetery, Lanesville.