Annette A. Foster's Obituary
Annette A. Foster (Hurst)
October 20, 1940 – June 25, 2025
Annette Arline Foster, age 84, of Millsboro, DE, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025. She was born on October 20, 1940, in Wilmington, DE, the daughter of the late Albany and Eleanor (Castelow) Hurst. As a child and teenager, she grew to love sewing, art and dance.
Annette graduated from William Penn High School in 1958 and went on to work as a secretary for several businesses including Getty in Wilmington, DE and had the honor of being named Miss Getty.
She married Robert Patrick Foster, and together they raised five children. During Robert’s service in the National Guard, the couple lived in Texas. After moving back to New Castle County, they decided to settle on a farm in Camden-Wyoming, DE, in 1970 to raise their five children on 20 acres of land and woods. She then dedicated her life to raising her children for many years. During this time, she grew large vegetable and flower gardens, and canned and froze her bounty to help feed the family.
As her children grew, she returned to work using her secretarial skills and shorthand at various places of work including DNREC and Bayhealth Hospital. Other than her family, her passion for over 30 years was her business of Annette Originals where she produced hundreds of unique cloth collector dolls and original doll patterns using her artistic and sewing skills. Her creations were treasured by many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 58 years, Robert (Bob), and her brother A. Leon (Sonny) Hurst with whom she was especially close.
She is survived by her children: Robert M. Foster “Mike” (Debbie) of Chugiak, Alaska, John R. “Jack” Foster of Wasilla, Alaska, James L. Foster (Twila) of Anchorage, Alaska, Christine M. Knutsen (Dean) of Millsboro, DE, and Shannon L. Papen of Viola, DE. Two sisters Diann Armstrong (Nick) of Exton, PA and Linda McCandlish of Middletown, DE as well as one sister-in- law Susaphene Hurst of Huntington, WV. Her beloved grandchildren, Jeffrey Dean, Bradley Dean (Casey McCormick), Ashley Papen-Chait (Chase), Zachary Papen (Cynthia), James Foster, John Foster, Ellie Foster, Shawn Lambert, Sherron Stalker, and Peter Lambert. Her great-grandchildren, Kay-Ci Lambert, Brian, Gabriel and Aaleyah Stalker, and Atlas Foster.
Memorial Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to be made to The Alzheimer’s Association at https://alz.org
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