Nancy Ann Foster

Nancy Ann Foster, a Western Slope resident for most of her life, passed away on April 2, 2026, in Grand Junction following a stroke. She was 84.

Nancy was born on May 18, 1941, in Minot, North Dakota, to Edgar and Lucille Griffee. Her family moved to Pueblo, Colorado, when she was 13 and then to Colorado Springs for her senior year of high school. She graduated there as class salutatorian from Widefield High School.

In 1959, Nancy married her Pueblo high school sweetheart, Donald W. Foster. They were one another’s confidant and partner for more than 60 years, both devoted to each other and to their marriage. They moved frequently over their lives, first with Don’s stint in the navy and then through promotions and transfers in his work. In each move, from Palisade to Louisiana and Ohio, they purchased homes that they could upgrade themselves and were proud of their results. They moved back to Western Colorado in 1978.

After raising her family, Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Regis University. Her professional life included owning and operating Mountain Lady NeedleArts at Twelfth and Orchard in the early ‘80s and working as office manager for Brown’s Office Supplies in Grand Junction. A Master Gardener, she also worked for the Colorado Extension Service in Eagle before she and Don retired to a small farm near Hotchkiss. They lived there for nearly 20 years before returning to the Grand Valley in 2022.

Nancy, who was known for her creativity and resourcefulness, was an award-winning quilter. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, thrifting, and many outdoors activities, including mule riding and camping. She and Don ran weeklong backcountry mule-pack trips in the San Juan Mountains for three summers. Throughout her adult life, Nancy volunteered both in support of Don’s work with the Boy Scouts, Partners, and other youth groups and on her own with the Girl Scouts and church-related projects. Her travel adventures included two long road trips through Alaska with Don and several Elderhostel excursions with her sister, Jan Roche.

Nancy is survived by Don, who resides at Aspen Ridge, a memory care facility in Grand Junction. Nancy visited him there daily. Her other survivors include her children, Christi Whittemore (Ned) of Costa Mesa, CA; Glenn (Jane) of Vernal, UT; Adam (Angie) and Randy of Grand Junction; and Dave of Collbran. Among her other descendants, she was especially close to her grandson, Jared Foster (Jackie) of Vernal, UT. One sister, Lavon Saunders (Don) of Ankeny, IA, and a brother, Alan Griffee (Sharon), of Colorado Springs, also survive her.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 395 31 5/8 Road, Grand Junction. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts be made in Nancy’s memory to HopeWest or Emmanuel Baptist Church.