Judith A. (Nana) Foster, age 79, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine on March 26, 2024. She was born on October 21, 1944 to Alfred and Alice Stoddard in. Littleton, N.H.

Judy's life was changed for the better when she met Robert (Bob) Foster. After a short, but chaotic relationship they were married on August 7, 1970. By June of 1971, facing limited job opportunities they joined the United States Air Force where they spent the next 20 years serving a team raising four children. With military life came the constant moving and adjustments to new places and people, but Judy's ability to make new friends and adjust allowed her to widen her circle of life long friends.

Judy devoted herself to instilling the values of hard work, integrity, loyalty and family in her four children, 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She loved her children and grandchildren more than anyone could understand, they were her pride and joy relishing every minute she had with them. She was a wonderful cook, using ingredients that she grew in her gardens where she passed on her knowledge to succeeding generations.

When her children became self-sufficient she joined the workforce working as a waitress until another move and a change to a floral shop clerk, eventually managing the shop. After retiring from the Air Force Judy went to work in an upscale gift shop. She would make one last move to South Portland to become a full-time caregiver for her terminally ill stepfather. After he passed she returned to work as a comanager of a Subway shop in the Old Port. When the shop closed she went to work in the hospitality industry as a laundress, eventually becoming the head housekeeper. Judy was eventually forced to retire due to several debilitating medical issues.

Her hobbies included tending to her gardens, both vegetable and flowers, painting, reading historical fiction, and enjoying diverse music. She also loved crafting because it allowed her to give gifts that had a special meaning to the received; "they have a piece of me that proves they are important and loved."

She leaves behind her husband Bob Foster, her brother Wallace Cole Jr., of Watertown, MA, 2 sons; Michael Foster of Newquay, England and Robert Foster IV of Scarborough, and 2 daughters; Lori Darlrymple of Scarborough and Lynn Foster of South Portland.