Doris Foster

Doris (Cattani) Foster, 96, a lifelong resident of Framingham, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025 surrounded by the family she cherished throughout her long and beautiful life.

Doris was the devoted wife of the late Vincent "Vinny" Foster, the loving daughter of the late Domenico and Luisa (LanFranchi) Cattani, and sister to the late Primo Cattani, Secondo Cattani, Frank Cattani, Elizabeth Resteghini, Catherine Nobilini, Mary Cattani, and Amedia St. Andre, and mother-in-law to the late Mary Pat Foster.

She was the proud and loving mother of Robert Foster (Joan), Kathleen Cail (Tony), James Foster (Donna), Paul Foster (Sandy), Christine Chapin (Walter), and Ann Foster (Ron Houle).

Doris was the cherished grandmother of Jillian Hazelton (Bryan), Tyler Cail (Kayla), Alex Chapin (Jackie), Valerie Foster (Travis Firzlaff), Carson Houle (Ashby), and Ben Chapin (Sarah Wilson); and the adored great-grandmother of Mila Cail, Zoe Cail, Hunter Hazelton, Bobby Cail, Breck Chapin, and Chloe Chapin. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Doris was raised in Framingham, where she lived her entire life. She graduated from Framingham High School, Class of 1946, and later attended Boston Secretarial School for bookkeeping. After raising her six children, she returned to work at Celestion Industries.

Doris and Vinny were inseparable. Together they created a home overflowing with love, laughter, and the joyful chaos of a large family. Doris was a remarkably attentive mother who somehow kept every ball in the air while being fully present for each of her children at every stage of their lives.

Active, adventurous, and full of life, Doris loved to ski, golf, swim, and play tennis. Some of the family's happiest memories were made at their ski house in Plymouth, NH, where winters were spent skiing at Tenney Mountain. Doris continued skiing until she was 84 years old. She also loved golfing at St. Mark's, always striving to reach 100 rounds a year. She adored a Lake Waushakum swim and was invariably the first one in the lake or pool with her grandchildren.

Doris was perhaps best known for her extraordinary capacity to care for others. The youngest of eight, she lovingly tended to her bedridden mother and later many of her siblings and relatives. She taught her family-by example-the profound importance of showing up for the people you love. She was endlessly proud of her children, of the closeness they shared, and of the love they extended to one another.

A gifted cook, Doris created some of the most treasured family recipes. Her pastas, Cattani dishes, and Foster favorites were legendary, lovingly preserved in the cookbook she created. She delighted in gathering family and friends around her table and found special joy in making sure her children's and grandchildren's friends were always well fed.

Doris lived a long, full, gracious life, defined by devotion, generosity, resilience, and love. Her presence was a gift; her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the traditions she created, and the countless lives she touched.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Doris' life by gathering for a time of visitation in the Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 53 Beech Street, Framingham on Tuesday morning, December 9th from 9-10:30AM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Bridget Church, 830 Worcester Road, Framingham at 11 o'clock. Interment will follow in St. Tarcisius cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Doris' name to: The Framingham Heart Study, https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/