Nancy Lynn Foster, age 76, was called to her heavenly home on February 25, 2021. She was cared for at Pathways Hospice, Loveland, CO for her final 4 days; for 3 months previous to that she was cared for at home by family and friends. She was an amazing woman of faith and modeled that faith throughout her life and especially during her nearly 8-year battle with cancer...she was truly a child of God.
Nancy was born to Glenn and Anna Jacquat on June 2 in Peoria, IL and was the first of their three children. A graduate of Pontiac High School in Pontiac, Illinois in 1962, she went on to earn a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College and a M.A. Degree from the University of Minnesota.
After teaching for one year at The School for the Blind in Faribault, MN, Nancy moved to Fort Collins where she started a program for the visually handicapped in the Poudre School system. This program integrated visually handicapped students into the regular classrooms. She taught in that program for 32 years and retired in 1999. Nancy was a dedicated educator and teaching was her passion. Helping her students cope with the world was her mission. She maintained relationships with her peers, her students and their parents throughout her life.
In her retirement, Nancy developed a myriad of hobbies and interests. These included woodworking in her own shop where she would spend hours making crafts and small projects out of walnut (her dad's favorite wood). She even made a full-size gun cabinet out of walnut graduating to the level of "cabinetmaker". Her biggest project was helping her father to erect a barn on top of a mountain. It has become a very special place for family and friends. During the last several years she opened her shop to friends and family to make their own crafts while she stood by with instructions and assistance when needed.
She also became a master counted cross stitcher turning out beautiful works which she mostly gave away as gifts to family and friends. Many centered around Christmas themes which was her favorite holiday and season. She certainly left behind many "treasures" that will be cherished for years to come.
In addition, she was an avid (fanatical) Bronco fan and never missed watching them play, frequently with her good friend, John Bustos. While battling her cancer, she often said that she just wanted to live long enough to see them win another Super Bowl. Thank you Peyton.
She loved puzzling and developed a group of friends that gathered weekly to do so. She had a natural gift for writing and wrote her own Christmas card messages which almost always brought a smile or a tear to the eye of the reader. She also loved taking pictures of people and the activities they were involved in and frequently had photo albums or books made for friends and family as gifts. She was a "giver" as evidenced by her work as Sunday-school director at her church for many years. She loved people and became a "friend" to all who needed her. She also loved her dogs that she had over the years especially Lucy, her last golden retriever who has been a faithful companion throughout her cancer journey.
When diagnosed with cancer and a one-year life expectancy, she fought back as she was not done living and loving her son and grandson. She was forever setting new goals for survival so she could see and enjoy their accomplishments, all the while being their biggest supporter. She loved them so much!
Nancy is survived by her son, Scott Jacquat Foster (Lindsay), of Dallas, TX and her grandson, Jalen Jacquat Foster of Phoenix, AZ. They were her pride and joy! She will also be missed by Jalen's mother, Jennifer Esparza and girlfriend, Athanasia Fourlis. Nancy's two brothers, Dr. Michael (Cathie) of Plymouth, WI and Thomas (Robert) of Cave Creek, AZ also survive her. Nancy was a loving and dedicated aunt to her two nephews and their families—Chris (Mindy), Jack, Max and Joe Jacquat of Plymouth, WI and John (Amy), Elena, MJ, and Anna Jacquat of Erie, CO. She loved being with any and all of them and tried hard to never miss important events in their lives.
Nancy was a strong woman and a force in anything she put her mind on. She will be greatly missed by her family and her great circle of friends! Her family thanks her friends for all the love, care and support given during her battle with cancer. They were a true blessing to Nancy and her family!
A viewing and visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm, Monday, March 1, 2021 at Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins. COVID restrictions limit the facility to 10 individuals at any time so those wishing to visit will be able to come and go in small groups during the 2 hour window.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Trinity Lutheran Church.