Joan Wiley Foster Van Arnam

VAN ARNAM, Joan Wiley Foster, 70, of Midlothian, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2008. The daughter of the late Dr. John V. and Carlyn M. Foster, she was born in Harrisburg, Pa., in 1937. She was also preceded in death by her son, William Christopher Van Arnam; and is survived by her husband of 46 years, William L. Van Arnam; her daughters, Cheryl V. Woodward and her husband, Jim, and Susan V. Haritos and her husband, Jason; her grandchildren, Carlyn, Jim, Will and Ellie Woodward and Lukas Haritos; her brother, John V. Foster and wife, Paulette; and her devoted nephews and their families. Joan was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, with which she maintained strong ties throughout her adult life. She was a member of the St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Midlothian, where she sang in the church choir for many years. Always creative, Joan took up watercolor painting and painted many beautiful scenes from her travels around the world, her beautiful garden at home and her beloved grandchildren. Her attention to detail was found in the many dresses she lovingly smocked for her family and friends' children. She enjoyed traveling all over the world with her husband and enjoyed many vacations with family and friends at their beach home in Corolla, N.C. The family will receive friends Saturday, November 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Woody Funeral Home, Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Rd. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Matthias Episcopal Church. A graveside service will be held Monday at 12 noon in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ALSA, 2807 N. Parham Rd., Richmond, Va., or The Association for the Support of Children with Cancer (ASK), P.O. Box 17184, Richmond, Va. 23226.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.