LOIS ANN FOSTER's Obituary
Lois Foster (nee Bronstein) passed away peacefully on April 14 at the age of 92.
Born in Boston and raised in Brookline, MA, Lois graduated from Brookline High School and attended Emerson College in Boston.
In 1948, she married the love of her life Henry “Hank” Foster, with whom she was blissfully happy for 60 years until his passing in 2008.
Lois’s philanthropic endeavors were focused primarily on the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University. She loved the Museum and devoted several decades of her time to the Rose, where she worked tirelessly and joyfully developing the Friends and Patrons Program at the Museum. She was famous for writing handwritten letters to every donor. She was an important part of the Board of the Museum until 2020, when she was named ‘Overseer Emerita’. She was also a Fellow of Brandeis University. The Director’s position at the Rose is endowed by Lois and Hank.
Lois and Hank were devoted patrons and champions of the arts. They endowed the first professorship at Emerson College, which was specifically for Contemporary Art Theory and Practice. Lois was subsequently awarded an Honorary Degree from Emerson. They also endowed the first Gallery for Contemporary Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where Hank served as Chairman of the Board. Lois served on the Visiting Committee for Contemporary Art and was also a trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.
Lois’s love of contemporary Art was also felt in Palm Beach, where she and Hank endowed a Contemporary Exhibitions fund at the Norton Museum of Art.
Lois was known for her marvelous smile, her great sense of humor, her warmth, kindness and selflessness.
Lois is survived by her sons: James (Audrey) of Boston, Palm Beach and Watch Hill, RI, John of Boston and Palm Beach, Neal (Nancy) of Weston, MA; grandchildren Alex (Claire), Zach (Janie), Lindsay, Lauren, Daniel (Emily) and her wonderful great granddaughters Sadie, Gemma, Jane and Eloise.
Remembrances can be made to the Rose Art Museum or the charity of your choice.
Services will be private.
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