Lilian Jean Foster

Lilian Jean Foster of Schenectady died on August 1, 2024 at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady after a lengthy illness. She was 97. Jean was born on August 27, 1926 in Clifton, New Jersey to Ernest and Lillian Beynon. She is survived by her three children, David, of Bolton, Massachusetts; Ann, of Milton, Massachusetts; and John, of Albany, New York; by her daughter-in-law, Joan Marchese, of Bolton, Massachusetts; by her brother-in-law, David Foster, and his wife, Joanna, of Attleboro, Massachusetts; by her sister-in-law, Eileen Beynon, of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey; by two grandchildren, Owen Foster and Henry Foster; and by many nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Andrew Foster; and by her brother, Evan Beynon, of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. Jean, a gifted pianist, earned graduate and postgraduate diplomas from The Juilliard School in Manhattan. She then moved to Greenville, South Carolina, where she taught piano at Furman University, and where she met the man she would marry. Jean and Andrew lived all over the country before settling in Niskayuna, their home for nearly fifty years. For several years after the children left for college, Jean worked in the alumni office at Union College. Though Jean, like Andy, was a gifted cook, she loved baking even more and never lost her appetite for chocolate. Jean also loved gardening, decorating, reading, and watching sports, especially tennis. Jean was habitually reserved, but she was devoted to a family that cherished her warmth, kindness, and good humor. There will be a celebration of Jean's life in early fall; for more information, please write to JeanFosterCelebrationofLife@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean's name to the Music Division at Juilliard or to Schenectady County's Meals on Wheels program.