Elizabeth M. Foster

Sunderland - Elizabeth (Liz) Foster, 75, of Sunderland, died peacefully at Baystate Hospital, after a sudden illness, on September 5th, 2022 surrounded by and attended in spirit by her family.
Born May 27, 1947 in Elberton, GA she was the only child of Odell E. Minish and Bernice May (Capen) Minish. She was predeceased by her parents and oldest son, Eric M. Dawson (2014). She is survived by her husband, John F. Foster of Sunderland; her son, Joshua Dawson and his wife Rebecca, and grandchildren, Sabrina and Brendan Dawson all of So. Deerfield; step-daughter Tara Foster of Brooklyn, NY; and cousins, Myles and Ross (Wilma) Capen and Larry Minish.
Liz attended elementary and high school in Danbury CT, graduating H.S. in 1965. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves in 1966, trained at Bainbridge, MD, served PAMI Lant Fleet, Norfolk, VA and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba among others.
As a single parent, Liz put herself through college at Holyoke C.C. and graduated from the University of Mass. with a BBA in Management with specialty in Personnel and Organizational Development. She did this while also working and commuting from Springfield in her V.W. beetle with no heater.
Liz was Director of Human Services (and Jill of All Trades) from 1990 through 2018 for Lifepath Inc. of Turners Falls/Greenfield, MA. While there, one of her most rewarding projects was as the “wheels” for the Meals on Wheels fundraising walk-a-thon and she continued her involvement, even after retiring, as a volunteer delivery driver to elders in the area. Juggling career and family obligations, she was the primary and most compassionate caregiver for her mother, allowing her to stay in her own home until her passing in 2018 at the age of 95.
Liz’s life was filled with many interests; she was an accomplished theatrical performer in H.S. and in a traveling troupe most often as the lead character in reproductions of classic Broadway shows and musicals; she was an award-winning quilter and many friends and family enjoy her creations in their homes, always as gifts; she was active in Sunderland town activities serving on the Finance Committee, the Council on Aging and other boards and committees. She was one of the primary movers behind the Sunderland Veterans Memorial and was active in the local senior center and elderly housing projects.
Liz’s defining characteristic was caring for and being there for others, rather than herself. From her beloved Jack Russel Lexie, to her mother, to her children, husband and many, many, friends she was the “ear” to the problems and delights of all, she was the “arms” that hugged when they were needed, and the “heart” that loved any and all creatures.
The world was a better place when she was in it and she is missed.
A celebration of her life is planned and will be forthcoming pending coordination of attendance by distant family and friends. In lieu of flowers, she would best be remembered and honored by donations to the South County Senior Center, So. Deerfield, MA or the Meals on Wheels Program of Lifepath Inc., Greenfield, MA.
New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Please visit Elizabeth’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Elizabeth M. Foster.