Jacqueline Helen Foster

Jacqueline Helen Foster, 86, of Fort Collins, Colorado, formerly of Los Angeles, California, passed away August 27, 2021.

Jackie was born in Los Angeles in 1935 to parents, John and Muriel Hackett. She was a 3rd-generation native Californian, and grew up in LA, graduated from Gardena High School, then went to work for City Hall. In 1961, Jackie married Frank M. Foster. After discovering that they were unable to have their own biological child, Jackie and Frank went through Children's Home Society and adopted their only daughter, Monica. It was during this process that Jackie was found to have Type 1 diabetes, and was immediately started on insulin and daily, frequent blood sugar checks.

Jackie was creative and enjoyed crafting, which made her a perfect fit to work at her friend's florist shop. Much of her time was also spent helping at Monica's school, filling the role of chaperone, fundraiser, and cheering fan of Monica's drill team activities. She also volunteered for causes she believed in, including the Children's Home Society, as well as Su Casa, a non-profit organization assisting victims of domestic violence.

Dogs were always a part of Jackie's life. Growing up, her family raised Cocker Spaniels and later, she grew to love Dachshunds. In fact, her dachshund, Gina, helped pick Monica's name. Jackie enjoyed collecting, and strawberries will forever accompany memories of Jackie. Her home was filled with strawberries – from decorations, to dishes, and the real ones too. Her last intake of food was appropriately several bites of strawberries.

Friends and family recall Jackie's optimism and her stubbornness. She lived successfully for 56 years with Type I diabetes, no easy feat. She helped several others accept and manage their type 1 diabetes as well. Jackie was accepting of others, inviting them into her circle no matter their circumstances. This was definitely the case when Monica's birth mother found her while Monica was attending graduate school in Oxford, MS. She responded in her usual fashion, by throwing a good party.

Jackie is survived by her daughter, Monica Foster; Monica's birth mother, Marta Rose, and several extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Martin Foster; her parents; and several well-loved dachshunds.

A memorial service will take place at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 2, 2021 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fort Collins. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 am on October 16, 2021 at the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California, at which time Jackie will be interred next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Su Casa ( https://sucasadv.org/ ), or the American Diabetes Association ( https://www.diabetes.org/ ).