Sr. Anne Agnes Foster, fmm
(M. St. Walbert)
Born: Mar.1.1926
Entered: June 12, 1944
Novitiate Dec. 15, 1944
First Vows: Dec.15 1946
Final Vows: Dec. 15, 1949
Entered Eternal Life: Aug. 23, 2014
Early Years
Anne was an only child born to her parents in Bayonne, New Jersey. Her mother died
when Anne was eight months old and her father never remarried. When she was living
with her aunt and uncle in Palenville, NY, Anne came in contact with the Franciscan
Missionaries of Mary in St. Helen's Camp. Her aunt and uncle helped the sisters there
and she and her aunt often went to Benediction. Anne was attracted to the Franciscan
Missionaries of Mary by their prayer life and their ministry there.
God’s Call
Anne entered the Juvenate, in September, 1940 at Bell St., Providence. She entered
the Novitiate June, 1944 in North Providence. Early in her religious life, she
learned the linotype machine in the Fruit Hill Mission Printing press where she set
up pages and all the other steps needed for printing. Anne pronounced her final
vows in December, 1949 in North Providence.
Missionary Life
After completing studies as a registered nurse, Anne served as a head nurse in Kennedy Memorial Hospital,
now called Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton, MA. In 1955, she worked one summer in Camp St.
Helene, the place where she first met the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Her next mission sending was as
head nurse in McMahon Memorial Temporary Shelter for Children, in Harlem, New York. She also served
as the community nurse.
In 1959, she was sent to Cardinal Hayes Home for Children Millbrook, NY, where she ministered as a head
nurse/administrative assistant. From 1963 to 1968, her ministry was nursing at St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn,
NY.
After completing advance studies in nursing and in Business Administration in Hospital Administration, she
continued her ministries in the health care field in administration and different fields of nursing; hospital administration
in St. Francis Hospital; community nurse and superior in O.L. of Charity Community, Bell St; Executive
Director in Divine Providence Child Care Agency; Public Health Nursing in St. Petersburg, FL; Nursing
Supervisor in Colonial Manor Nursing Home , Clearwater in FL; Nursing Care Coordinator, Consolation Residence
in West Islip, NY.
For a period of time, Anne cared for relatives who were in need of skilled nursing care as well as running a
household that included a one month premature infant girl while her mother was in coma.
After the death of the mother, Anne became a mother substitute for three children ages 6, 4 and the newborn
baby. This experience demanded all the skills and expertise gained from her experience, education and spirit
of selfless caring.
From 1985 to 1992, her ministry was as treasurer and personnel director at Divine Providence Convent, New
York. She did advanced studies in Alcohol-Drug Counseling and an internship at Caron Foundation, i n
Wernersville, PA.
In 1993, Anne was elected as coordinator of St. Francis Community, Roslyn. She received honors ,
amongst them listing in "Notable Americans", "Who's Who in the South and Southwest" and "Men and
Women of Distinction."
Throughout the last several years, Anne has experienced the ministry of suffering. Yet in her quiet, unassuming
way, she continued to serve as her community's treasurer and filled in wherever needed to the extent
possible. Her peaceful, non-judgmental manner enabled sisters to confide in her. Her hope that
God would give her the courage and strength to face the future in peace and tranquility was fulfilled.
Another of Anne’s hopes was that God would use her life as an example to others. She faced her death
with serenity and courage , which is surely an example to us.