Elizabeth "Betty" Ferguson Foster, 62, of Free Union, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 12, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on November 12, 1947, to Mary Wallace Ferguson and the late William H. Ferguson.
She attended Henrico County schools before attending the University of Mary Washington. Upon graduation in 1969, she was employed by IBM, where she met her husband, Charles H. Foster Jr. They were married for 36 years and had two daughters, Susan Elizabeth Foster of Manakin-Sabot, and Sarah Wallace Foster Raffinan of Charlottesville.
She dedicated her life to her family and her community and gave tirelessly of her time and efforts to both. The family settled in the Brandermill subdivision of Chesterfield County, where they lived surrounded by a close circle of neighborhood friends for almost 30 years. While raising her children, Betty found the time to volunteer regularly for several organizations, most notably the MCV-VCU Hospital Auxiliary and its "Three Bears Gift Shop."
In recent years she was involved in Maymont, The Boys and Girls Club of Charlottesville and was a committed member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington.
Betty was a beloved mother, not only to her two daughters, but also to countless other young people who considered her a second mom, including her son-in-law, Mark Raffinan. She embraced her role as grandmother to Mary and Seth Raffinan.
She and her husband retired to Albemarle County in 2006. In their beautiful home in Free Union, Betty was able to focus on what mattered most to her: spending time with the people she loved dearly and enjoying the beauty of nature. She welcomed visitors to enjoy the birds, animals, flowers, and surrounding views.
Throughout her life, Betty loved to travel. Whether it was joining her husband on business trips around the United States, organizing a tour of China with her book club, or heading to Italy with several college friends, she jumped at every opportunity to see the world. The family's beach property in South Carolina was one of her favorite destinations.
In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Betty was survived by her mother, Mary Wallace Ferguson of Richmond; and her brother, William H. Ferguson Jr. of Walnut Creek, California; as well as a vast extended family of an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, William H. Ferguson.
A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at North Run Baptist Church in Richmond.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
Betty came in my shop years ago, I had no idea she was sick and she and her friend were dumbfounded that I remembered her! Sorry to hear about her passing. We're all just walking each other home.
Betty and I were friends in high school, but became better friends when we roomed together for 2 years at Mary Washington College. I then transferred to UVA for Nursing; Betty graduated from MWC. We were in each other's wedding. She was a wonderful friend, whom I lost track of. I was sadded when we returned to Va. to learn that she had died.
Her parents were wonderful people. They came to Fredericksburg and took Betty, Bonnie (our third roommate) and me out to dinner. We all had great parents and enjoyed each other's family.
Diane Stockmar (Bonds)
I was deeply saddened to learn of Betty Ferguson's death. I found a lovely tribute online.Elizabeth Foster Obituary
Source: http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=137307032
Elizabeth "Betty" Ferguson Foster
Elizabeth "Betty" Ferguson Foster, 62, of Free Union, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 12, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on November 12, 1947, to Mary Wallace Ferguson and the late William H. Ferguson.
She attended Henrico County schools before attending the University of Mary Washington. Upon graduation in 1969, she was employed by IBM, where she met her husband, Charles H. Foster Jr. They were married for 36 years and had two daughters, Susan Elizabeth Foster of Manakin-Sabot, and Sarah Wallace Foster Raffinan of Charlottesville.
She dedicated her life to her family and her community and gave tirelessly of her time and efforts to both. The family settled in the Brandermill subdivision of Chesterfield County, where they lived surrounded by a close circle of neighborhood friends for almost 30 years. While raising her children, Betty found the time to volunteer regularly for several organizations, most notably the MCV-VCU Hospital Auxiliary and its "Three Bears Gift Shop."
In recent years she was involved in Maymont, The Boys and Girls Club of Charlottesville and was a committed member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington.
Betty was a beloved mother, not only to her two daughters, but also to countless other young people who considered her a second mom, including her son-in-law, Mark Raffinan. She embraced her role as grandmother to Mary and Seth Raffinan.
She and her husband retired to Albemarle County in 2006. In their beautiful home in Free Union, Betty was able to focus on what mattered most to her: spending time with the people she loved dearly and enjoying the beauty of nature. She welcomed visitors to enjoy the birds, animals, flowers, and surrounding views.
Throughout her life, Betty loved to travel. Whether it was joining her husband on business trips around the United States, organizing a tour of China with her book club, or heading to Italy with several college friends, she jumped at every opportunity to see the world. The family's beach property in South Carolina was one of her favorite destinations.
In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Betty was survived by her mother, Mary Wallace Ferguson of Richmond; and her brother, William H. Ferguson Jr. of Walnut Creek, California; as well as a vast extended family of an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, William H. Ferguson.
A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at North Run Baptist Church in Richmond.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
Thomas Eure
Betty came in my shop years ago, I had no idea she was sick and she and her friend were dumbfounded that I remembered her! Sorry to hear about her passing. We're all just walking each other home.
Carolyn Jones (DuVal)
Betty and I were friends in high school, but became better friends when we roomed together for 2 years at Mary Washington College. I then transferred to UVA for Nursing; Betty graduated from MWC. We were in each other's wedding. She was a wonderful friend, whom I lost track of. I was sadded when we returned to Va. to learn that she had died.
Her parents were wonderful people. They came to Fredericksburg and took Betty, Bonnie (our third roommate) and me out to dinner. We all had great parents and enjoyed each other's family.
Channing Pfeiffer
Betty was a good friend, who was always grounded and yet had a 30,000 foot view of life.
She had a true North compass which I always admired and remember to this day..
I had an opportunity to visit with Betty frequently when I was dating a woman, who also attended MWC in 1967-68, when I was at Randolph Macon.
Unfortuanately, we lost contact with one another after graduation.
.