Obituary of Ava P. Foster

Ava P. Foster, 93, passed away Feb. 1 2022 at her home in Austinburg, PA. Born in Westfield, PA on June 4, 1928, Ava was the daughter of M.B. and Xenna MacLean Payne. She was raised on farms in the town of Troupsburg, NY, and in Brookfield Township, PA. She attended school in Knoxville and Westfield, graduating from Westfield in 1945. She married Howard R. “Bud” Foster on June 20, 1948. She worked in a grocery store, bank and Ford dealership in Westfield before earning her bachelor’s degree from Mansfield State College in 1963. She student taught at Elkland before taking a job teaching math at Troupsburg Central School. She continued her education, earning her master’s degree from Elmira and an advanced certificate in educational administration from St. Bonaventure University. She became superintendent at Troupsburg in 1978 and served in that capacity until Troupsburg and Jasper schools merged in 1987. At that time, less than 4 percent of school superintendents in the United States were women. She traveled extensively after retirement, visiting Scotland three times as well as Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Italy, France, Germany, England and the Mediterranean. She was active in the Austinburg United Methodist Church, which she attended for 87 years. She served several roles including administrative board chair, financial secretary and women’s group president and treasurer. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 18 years. She established a scholarship fund for the Jasper-Troupsburg student with the highest math average and has awarded $1,000 to a graduating senior each year since 2012. She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Wally) Zinck of Knoxville and Ruskin, FL; son Tom (Lori) Foster of Austinburg, grandchildren Amy (Joe) Druetto of Knoxville, Michael (Michele) Zinck of Sabinsville, Michelle Huff of Dentin NC, Tom (Colleen) Zink of Fredricksburg, VA, Kelly Foster of Watertown, NY and Riley, Kiersten, Matt and Jon Foster of Austinburg; great-grandchildren Ian (Trish) Druetto, Kaila Druetto, Drew Shepley, Phoenix Zinck, Evan Zinck, Clay (Rachel) Bonney, Emma Zinck, Thomas Zinck; great-great-grandchildren Mia and Quinten Druetto. She was predeceased by her husband and sisters, Elinor Kantz and Margery McCarthy. Friends may call on Monday, February 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Ava’s funeral service will follow there at 3 pm with Pastor Edward Rodarmel officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Austinburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Austinburg United Methodist Church, 110 Alba Street, Knoxville, PA 16928 or the Ava P. Foster Mathematics Scholarship Fund at the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School, 2769 State Route 417, Jasper NY, 14855.