Linda Foster

1953 - 2011

Linda Kathleen Foster

February 7, 1953 - April 28, 2011

SALEM - Linda passed away on April 28th after a 5 year battle with lung cancer. Linda, through her faith in the Lord, was able to go through her cancer with a positive attitude which her friends and family admired. She is now in Heaven, relieved of all the side effects of the cancer.

Linda Kathleen Hallin was born on February 7, 1953 in Eugene, OR to Charles E. and Ethel J. (Anderson) Hallin. She was born and raised in the same home in south Eugene. She graduated from Churchill High School in June 1971. She attended Lane Community College where she earned an Associates' Degree in Secretarial Sciences and met her future husband. She married Charles Wesley (Wes) Foster Jr. on January 26th 1974, four months after they met in a mutual class. They both graduated from LCC in June 1974. After graduation, they moved to Salem.

They had two children, Charles W. Foster III (Charlie) and Jennifer Lyn Foster (Jenny). Though she worked full time, she made every attempt to be there for all the band concerts and activities that the kids were involved in. Linda worked for thirty years at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility as a secretary and later personnel/payroll coordinator. She loved her Hillcrest "family" and enjoyed working with and being of assistance to all the staff. After retirement, Linda planned breakfasts with former co-workers and other retirees. She also attended a retired ladies lunch once a month and another group of retired staff for dinner monthly!

Linda and Wes attended Rolling Hills Baptist Church for most of their 37 year marriage. She was Service Committee chairperson for 25 years and thoroughly enjoyed planning and organizing a lot of church functions. Her favorite activity was the church camp out each July for over 20 years. Linda was truly blessed by the church "family" as they prayed constantly for her in the good times and the bad. She loved her "church" family.

Linda was active in Salem Soap Box Derby from 1985 when her son, Charlie, started racing until her daughter, Jenny, finished racing in 1996 until her illness forced her to give up the position of Secretary, which she held for 25 years. While in that role, she also planned and organized the annual banquet and other social events connected with Soap Box. She loved her "Derby" family.

Other interests included sewing, crocheting, reading, playing bunco once a month, and raising her children. By far, her favorite times were spent with her grandchildren, whom she adored. Though they all lived out of state, she made every effort to get together with them as often as she could.

She is survived by her husband, Wes; children, Charlie Foster of Wasilla, AK and Jenny (JJ) Durfee of Arlington, WA; grandchildren, Lydia Annette Foster and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Lyn and Dylan Dale Durfee. She is survived by her brother, Lee (Elena) Hallin of Eugene, OR.

Linda and her family wish to thank Dr. Cook and Dr. Pierce (and their staff) for being her "heroes" in first detecting her cancer and who helped encourage her positive attitude throughout her battle with lung cancer.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 11th at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. A Celebration of Life will be held at Rolling Hills Baptist Church on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 6:00 pm. Those wishing to make contributions in Linda's memory may do so to Salem Soap Box Derby (PO Box 301, Salem, OR 97309) or Rolling Hills Baptist Church (6196 Sunnyside Rd SE, Salem OR 97306).