Elizabeth Foster

FOSTER, Elizabeth "Betty" Ferguson, 62, of Free Union, Va., 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 U.S., 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, Calif.; 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 at North Run Baptist Church in Richmond on Wednesday, December 16, at 3 p.m. 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, Virginia 22911. Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.