Edith Cecilia (Richards) Foster

Edith Cecilia (Richards) Foster Obituary
It is with deep sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Edith Cecilia
(Richards) Foster, 90, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, who passed away peacefully on
April 21, 2026, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on April 22, 1935, in Sydney Mines, Edie was the eldest daughter of the late
Joseph and Nora (O’Toole) Richards. She grew up on Atlantic Street, and will always be
remembered for her strong spirit, honesty, and deep love she held for her family.
Edie dedicated 25 years of service as a Custodian with the Northside-Victoria
Amalgamated School Board, concluding her career at Memorial High School. She was
known for her generosity, her gift of gab, her humor, and a work ethic that was truly
unmatched. She was strong, independent, opinionated, funny, and loving. No matter
who you are, if you walked through Edie’s door you had better be ready for the truth and
no filter. But that’s what we loved most about her. Through her passion for knitting, Edie
touched countless lives, donating her handmade items to church fall fairs, police and
fire departments, hospitals, and shelters from Cape Breton to Halifax. She also gave
generously of her time through many years of volunteering with the Catholic Women’s
League.
Family was at the heart of everything Edie did. On August 5, 1953, she married the love
of her life, the late Thomas David Foster, and together they built a home filled with love,
laughter, and cherished traditions. She found great joy in knitting and baking for her
grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured for generations.
Edie was a devoted and loving mother and survived by Thomas (Brenda), William
(Linda), James (Donna), Bernard (Jane), and Edith (Carman) Carroll, who will forever
cherish her warmth, guidance, and unwavering support. She was immensely proud of
and survived by 12 grandchildren — Laura, David, Cherie, Shelly, Kerrie, Kevin,
Jonathan, Michael, Janelle, Thomas, Carman Jr. and Stephanie — and is also survived
by her 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved
dearly, and who loved her in return.
She is also survived by her sisters, Marion Bushnick and Verna (Cameron) MacNeil and
shared with Verna a lifelong bond of love, laughter, and companionship.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her siblings Joseph,
Shirley, Theresa, Joan, and two siblings in infancy – Robert and Mary Alice; her
brothers-in-law Stanley Bailey, Lawrence Hurley, James MacDonald, Johnny Bushnick,
Cyril Foster, William Foster, Raymond Cox; and her sisters-in-law Theresa MacDonald,
Hildegard Cox, Madeline Foster; and her grandchildren Emily Jean Fells and Daniel
Foster.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Parish, Sydney Mines, on Monday, April 27,
2026, at 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life in the parish hall. Burial will take place
at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at a later date.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to her caregiver, Brenda Pardy, whose
playful bickering kept Edie young at heart. Special thanks are also extended to Nurse
Palak, Dr. Hamilton, and the staff of 3B at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their
compassion and care during her final days. We also gratefully acknowledge Dr. Michel
McKeough and Louise for their years of kindness and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Edie’s memory.
“Even though life moves on, the love and memories we shared will stay in our hearts
forever.”

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