Camp Sherman says farewell to Foster

Some 350 friends gathered on the grass outside Camp Sherman's Community Hall last Thursday, August 31, to celebrate Toni Foster's exceptional life and the people she so deeply touched.

The location was perfect. Foster shepherded so many pancake breakfasts, benefit sales for the Camp Sherman Search and Rescue Hasty Team (of which she was a member), Black Butte School (BBS) programs, the Christmas bazaar and other events at this location.

The closing song, "Footloose," performed by Foster's students exemplified her life and work. This followed remembrances of her life's accomplishments by Marti Dale, Black Butte School Board member, Jack Jones, Jefferson County Sheriff, Don Mouser, former Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief and former students Liz Dale and Annie Hancock.

"It's hard to imagine she's gone," said BBS student Lauren White. "I expect to see her car parked at the school."

Besides her more widely known accomplishments, Foster was also remembered as a school bus driver, administrator, custodian and for other jobs she fulfilled at Black Butte School.

She also was praised as the leader of Friends of the Metolius and for her work protecting the environment.

Pastor Ed Beacham led the memorial service. Her husband of 19 years, Mark Foster, gave a loving closing eulogy.

"That was a moving moment", said Camp Sherman resident Kathleen Reynolds. "It represented about as deeply into a person's true feelings as you are likely to get."

The teacher, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Hasty Team member and friend to all will never be forgotten in Camp Sherman.

"She is with God, and she is out of pain," said EMT and friend Jeff May.

There were not many dry eyes during the memorial service as friends and family said farewell to a wonderful friend.