Nancy Rossi Foster

1942 - 2015

NANCY ROSSI FOSTER Nancy Rae Rossi Foster, 72, of Oroville (Pentz), Calif., passed away at her home on March 16, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on July 5, 1942 in Sacramento to William and Verna Rae Rossi, the family moved to Chico in the early 1950s where William Rossi served as commercial manager for Pacific Bell. Nancy first attended Newton Booth Element-ary School in Sacra-mento, and then attend-ed Parkview Elementary in Chico. She graduated from Chico High School in 1960 and from California State Univer-sity, Chico in 1964. She earned her elementary teaching credential and taught for eight years at Parkview Elementary. Nancy was an accomplished eques-trian throughout her teens and adult life, showing in western events at parades, fairs and horse shows throughout northern California. Her interest in horses is how she met her future husband, third generation area cattle rancher, S. Robert Foster. They married on Aug. 23, 1969 at the Methodist Church in Greenville, Calif. In 1972, Nancy made the decision to stop teach-ing full-time. In 1976, she obtained a Community College Limited Service Credential, and taught Elements of Horse Production at Butte Community College until 2000. In addition to showing horses, Nancy loved local history, collecting antiques, and gardening. She was a member of the Butte County Historical Society and hosted several tours on the family ranch.She was active in the Butte County CattleWomen's Association for many years, and was also a long-time member, along with her husband, of the Butte County Farm Bureau, California Farm Bureau Federation, and California Cattlemen's Association. Nancy worked as a poll worker for the Butte County Clerk Recorder's Election Services division for 36 years, concluding her service with the general election in June 2006. At the age of 42, Nancy began having epileptic-type seizures. While the condition was mostly controlled with medica-tion, she did make the decision to stop driving. Nancy continued to stay active on the ranch with her animals, gardening and began a new "career" taking care of neighbors' homes and animals while they were traveling. She main-tained an active social life and enjoyed her time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Robert Foster; brother William G. Rossi (Shelly) of Orland; son Mark R. Foster (Brigitte) of Taylorsville; daughter Holly Ann Foster of Oroville; step-daughter Kay F. Nelms (Jay) of Oroville; grandchildren Rochelle Hugaboom (Ed), Amy Nelms, Adam Nelms, Sheldon Foster, and Sawyer Foster; nephew William F. Rossi (Kriztin) and niece Allison Rossi Ferrasci (David). Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Michael Ann Rossi. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Butte County CattleWomen's (designate Scholarship) 495 Stimpson Road, Oroville, CA 95966; Butte County Historical Society P.O. Box 2195 Oroville CA 95965; or the Durham Park Arena c/o Durham Parks and Recreation District P.O. Box 364 Durham Ca 95938 (designate Arena). A celebration of Nancy's life will be held Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Robert Foster Ranch, 2521 Williams Road, Oroville, CA 95965 at 2:00 p.m. Brusie Funeral Home is handling arrangements.