Obituary of Deborah Anne Foster
Foster, Deborah Anne – 72, Bridgetown, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and her two girls by her side, at the Annapolis Community Health Centre, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Berwick, NS she was the daughter of the late Verta Marguerite (Gates) Chipman of New Glasgow. Along with her mother, mom was predeceased by her brother, Clyde Allan Chipman of New Glasgow and her grandmother Gladys Gates of North Williamston, who had a tremendous influence on her life.
Debbie lived in North Williamston and went to the Lawrencetown Consolidated School until grade 11 and took her grade 12 Commercial in Middleton. Her top grades and exceptional typing skills led to mom being pulled from class ahead of graduation to fill an office job at the Acadian Distillery in Bridgetown.
After taking some time off to start a family, Debbie went back to work serving the community she lived in, as secretary of the Bridgetown Regional High School. What was expected to be a five-year stay turned into a nearly 33-year career. While she was organized and known to run a tight ship, Debbie loved the school, students and staff and took great pride in her work. Despite having the ability to keep administrators, teachers and students who visited the office in line, she had a huge heart, often paying special attention, very quietly, to those needing a little extra love.
As a young adult Debbie taught Sunday School and served on the fire department’s Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of the curling club, although it was lawn bowling which became her passion. Encouraged by her late father-in-law Bill to try the game of bowls, Debbie eventually agreed and the rest as they say is history. She made friends across the country and around the world. Debbie represented Nova Scotia at 39 Canadian Championships, winning an impressive 5 gold medals and 12 silver and bronze. She also competed in New Zealand and Northern Ireland representing Canada with the National Team. Mom would say her greatest moment of pride was competing with her two girls who she took under her wing in 2006, representing Nova Scotia several times and reaching the top of the podium at Nationals in 2022. Debbie was inducted into the Bridgetown Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, an organization dear to her heart, serving as Treasurer for a number of years. She gave back to the sport she loved by holding various executive positions with Lawn Bowls NS over a period of 15 years, mentoring new bowlers and sharing her love of the game for many more years. Her fierce competitiveness was not unique to the greens. That fire in her belly was present for any sort of competition including the Monopoly board, although that game has long since been banned from our family get togethers!
Mom loved people and loved life. After retiring, she enjoyed winters down south with the sun, sand and of course, more bowls! She was always up for music and dancing, a Hallmark movie, lobster and mussels, ice cream and wine, any adventure, a girl’s weekend, road trip or good game of scrabble or Joker Rummy. Mom loved to travel but was happiest surrounded by family and friends, including “her boys” Jager and Lew, at a social gathering or quiet weekend at the cottage.
Debbie is survived by her two daughters, Tammy Foster-Veinot (Bridgetown) and Jacqueline Foster (Lower Sackville), with whom she shared an incredible bond; her son-in-law Dave “Davie” Veinot who she considered a son, and her brother, David Chipman (Halifax) whom she loved dearly.
Cremation has taken place. We invite you to share memories at her visitation Friday, November 3 at Kaulbach Family Funeral Home from 7-9 pm. Please join us in celebrating mom’s life at the Bridgetown Baptist Church, Saturday, November 4 at 2 pm, officiated by Pastor Herb Anderson. A link will be available after the service to watch online. Mom loved colours and we encourage you to wear your favourite in her honour. An interment at Fairview Cemetery, Lawrencetown, will be followed by a reception for family and friends at the Bridgetown Lawn Bowling Club.
Our family would like to thank the many health care professionals in Digby, Middleton and Halifax who supported mom along this journey, as well as the Cancer Society’s The Lodge That Gives and the VON Annapolis Valley.
A special thank you to doctors Anna Coolen (Kentville), Ashley McCormick (Digby) and Roop Conyers (Annapolis) and the amazing staff in Annapolis Palliative Care, for the respect and compassion shown to mom and our entire family. Your ability to show such love and support during these times is truly a gift.
At mom’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to support two of her passions, the Bridgetown Lawn Bowling Club or the Bridgetown Regional Community School Breakfast Program. We would love to hear your memories of our mom and sister and encourage you to share them with us online: kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com