Mary Porter Foster

HALLOWELL – A life of love, family, and community.

Mary Porter Foster, 93, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, at MaineGeneral Medical Center.

Born on Nov. 14, 1931, in Augusta, Mary was the youngest daughter of Charles and Laura Edris (Folsom) Porter. Until recently, she was a lifelong resident of Augusta, and a proud graduate of Cony High School, Class of 1949. Her ties to the community remained strong throughout her life.

While at Cony, Mary met her high school sweetheart, Paul Foster. They married on Oct. 1, 1949, and recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone — 75 years of marriage — surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, at their home at Granite Hill Estates. Their bond was a testament to lifelong partnership and devotion.

Mary’s early life reflected her community spirit — as a Girl Scout and the first Worthy Advisor of the local Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a youth social service organization. She had a love for playing the piano and was an active member of Penney Memorial Church.

In 1965, Mary and Paul assumed ownership of the S.N. Foster Company, a local family business founded by Paul’s father, Shirley Foster, Sr. Together, Mary and Paul worked side by side for more than three decades, growing the company that sold and serviced industrial and commercial heating systems throughout the state of Maine. Their efforts were recognized with a Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Award in 1984 for business excellence and community service.

Mary had a deep love for Maine — its lakes, seasons and small-town traditions. Summers were filled with memories at the family cottage on Flying Pond in Vienna, where she welcomed generations of family and friends for boating, snowmobiling, fishing, skiing, and fireside meals. Later, she and Paul spent winters in Vero Beach, Fla. and summers on Three Cornered Pond in Augusta. They enjoyed their retirement beginning in 1995 and cherished their adventures traveling to National Parks, the Caribbean, the British Isles, and beyond. A special project they shared was photographing all 48 Maine lighthouses and 16 historic county courthouses — a celebration of the state they loved.

Mary had a gift for making people feel special. Her radiant smile, warm hugs, and deep interest in others were hallmarks of her presence. Whether as a businesswoman, friend, mother, or grandmother, she lived with compassion, grace, and a quiet strength.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul Foster, and their three children, son Dan Foster and his wife Karen of Venice, Fla., grandson Jason Foster and his partner Heather Lefever of Readfield, great-grandchildren Nathan and Cameron; daughter Diane Hastings and her husband David of East Winthrop, grandson Ryan Hastings and daughter-in-law Jennifer Usher of Marshfield Hill, Mass., great-grandchildren Jack, Charlie, Lydia, Carter, and Keegan, granddaughter Amy Macomber and her husband Joey of Naples, Fla., great-grandchildren Maco and Sully; daughter Vicki Foster and her husband Bill Crosby of Belgrade, grandson Taylor Crawford of Winthrop.

Mary was predeceased by her sister, Frances Porter and by grandson Jason’s wife, Brenda Foster.

Mary’s family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Sharon and Lisa for their years of devoted assistance, to Dr. Cheng for many years of providing care, and to the staff at Granite Hill Estates for their kindness and support.

At Mary’s request, there will be no public services. A private family gathering will be held to celebrate her life, a life that enriched all those who knew her.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1 Church Street, Augusta, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home website: http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations in Mary’s memory may be made to:

the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, honoring her lifelong love of animals — especially Spot, her cherished Cavalier King Charles Spaniel