Published as a Letter to the Editor in the Daily Progress on July 19, 2014

It is with sadness that I note the recent passing of one of Charlottesville’s revered residents, Jane Foster, who died July 3. Jane had been an active and engaged citizen since 1952, when she first arrived in Charlottesville.

Jane’s civic contributions for more than six decades are well-known to our community. Yet a remarkable fact that is not well-known is her staunch support of the Virginia Organizing Project. Jane routinely responded to action alerts, housed interns from all over the world in her home, and participated in many actions.

Even in her senior years, every Friday at 4 p.m. for 107 weeks — except for when she was out of town visiting family — she stood up for a living wage. Standing on the street corner, rain or shine, with her indomitable spirit, this remarkable woman shared the story of race relations in our community that she knew so well.

And so Jane Foster will be sorely missed, yet her legacy lives on.

Dena Imlay, Charlottesville