Linda Timberlake Foster

1943 - 2016

MONT VERNON – Linda Timberlake Foster, 73, resident of Mont Vernon, for 46 years, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in her home after battling illness for more than a year.

Born Feb. 8, 1943, in Portland, Maine to Hazel Lila Hilton and Linwood Elton Timberlake, Linda graduated from Deering High School, attended Simmons College, and graduated from the University of Maine in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

She taught special education at Mount Hope School for the Handicapped in Nashua, and later served as a substitute teacher and the special education assistant at Milford Area Senior High School. In 1992 Linda was elected to the NH House of Representatives, serving through 2002. She was re-elected in 2004 and retired in 2010 as the Deputy Speaker. She also served on the Executive Board of Southern New Hampshire Services and as an Advisory Board Member of the New Hampshire Association of Residential Care Homes. She was committed to serving Mont Vernon throughout her 46 years as a resident. Her first role was as a ballot clerk and she went on to serve 27 years on the planning board, including a number of terms as chairperson, and as a member on many budget committees.

In addition to her dedication to public service, Linda had a passion for gardening and exploring the world with her husband. She leaves behind many lifelong friends, but above all else, Linda's commitment to and fierce love of her family as wife, mother, and grandmother were matchless.

Linda is survived by Bernard Scott Foster, loving husband of almost 53 years; their sons, Scott David Foster and his wife, Cynthia Fairchild Foster, Christian Linwood Foster and his wife, Dana Mueller Foster and Brandon Carroll Foster and his wife, Jennifer Gates-Foster; beloved grandsons, Tyle Hilton Foster, Niall Scott Foster, Asa Raiford Foster, Mason Linwood Foster and Jacob Mark Foster; and a cherished granddaughter, Cynthia Hazel Foster; dear sisters, Naydene Bowder and Jeanette Kimball and her husband, Kerry Kimball.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12, at 11 a.m. in the Mont Vernon Congregational Church, 4 South Main St., Mont Vernon.

The family has established the Linda T. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund in her memory to support Mont Vernon residents pursuing higher education, a cause dear to Linda's heart. Donations may be sent to the fund care of the Trustees of the Trust Funds, P.O. Box 211, Mont Vernon, NH 03057 in support of this scholarship.

Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to smith-heald.com.