Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Foster
First Name	Jean-Marie
Middle Name
Maiden Name	Benson
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Winthrop, MA
Date of Birth	1934-07-26
Place of Death	Bangor, ME
Date of Death	2022-05-02
Publication	BDN 2022-05-03
Obituary	NEWPORT - Jean-Marie (Benson) Foster, 87, peacefully passed away May 2, 2022, at a Bangor health care facility. She was born July 26, 1934, in Winthrop, MA, a daughter of Earle and Evelyn (Ham) Benson. She moved to Windham, NH, with her parents at an early age. As a child she enjoyed visiting her great-uncle, John T. Benson, at Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, NH. She loved to play with the monkeys and ride her favorite elephant, Betsey. She graduated from the Searles School in 1948 in Windham, NH, and Pinkerton Academy in 1952, Derry, NH. Jean-Marie graduated from the Lawrence General Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1955. She was a communicant of St. Martin's Episcopal Church and was a life member of the Order of The Eastern Star. She married William L. Foster, June 20, 1959. They purchased the Ben Franklin Store in Dexter in 1980, which they operated together until retiring in 1992. They then enjoyed wintering in Florida. She is survived by her son James and wife, Alice Foster; grandson, Brent Foster; granddaughter, Cassidy and husband, Tyler Baker; and a cousin, Anne Benson. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, in 2013. A private graveside committal service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport. Memorial donations may be made to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 107, Palmyra, ME 04965. Those who wish may leave written condolences at CrosbyNeal.com. Published on May 3, 2022