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In memoriam: Star C Foster 1973-2006December 11th, 2006

Star C Foster

This post was created on 11th December 2006, the day after Star’s passing. I will continue to update it as best I can with links to tributes around the Internet. I’m nothing special and many knew Star far better than I did, but I hope in some small way this may be a part of the online legacy that celebrates Star’s life and brings comfort to those seeking to continue their lives without her.

You may write a message below.

15th December 2006

From Shiny Shiny

In true macabre Star-style we trawled all the things we knew about her and came across this gem from her Meet the Bloggers answers:

Q. What song would you want played at your funeral
A. Daft Punk is Playing at My House (LCD Soundsystem) I love to dance to this song - and I’d prefer my funeral to be a celebration of my life rather than a mourning of my death following numerous adventures. Preferably adventures with pirates. Or robots. Or monkeys. Or some combination thereof.

Where ever she is, I have no doubt she’s quickly befriended all the pirates, robots and monkeys around. So, turn it up, have a dance, and remember Star.

Shiny Shiny have also compiled the best of Star’s Shiny posts.

From Phillyist: Return to Sender: Only the Good Die Young

13th December 2006

The Phillyist is requesting photographs of Star and has set up an invitation-only Flickr Group called Sarcasmo’s Corner (AKA The Star C. Foster Gallery of Embarrassing Pictures).

Michael has begun to write a very moving series of posts about Star.

12th December 2006

The following was passed on from Star’s family (via Shiny Shiny):

Star C Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund

Star’s family got in touch to let us know about the details for Star’s funeral - and also with information on the Memorial Fund being set up in Star’s name. The fund will create an award that will be given to a female student who is an aspiring writer to put towards her college education, which seems entirely fitting. If you would like to donate money to the fund, you can do so by sending a cheque here:

Donations can be made to the Associate Alumni of Central High School
(please make checks payable to AACHS)
P.O. Box 26580
Philadelphia PA 19141

Services for Star will be
Thursday, December 14
at
Campell’s Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia
500 East Benner Street (Right off of Rising Sun Avenue)

There will be a viewing from 10 a.m. - noon for friends, family and colleagues to pay their respects.

There will be a service starting at noon.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made in Star’s name to the Star. C. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central High School.

Donations can be made to the Associate Alumni of Central High School
(please make checks payable to AACHS)
P.O. Box 26580
Philadelphia PA 19141

I think this is a wonderful idea. I am not sure of the best way for international readers (outside US) to send funds - possibly via an International Money Order? If I hear any more details, I’ll pass them on.

11th December 2006

I’ve just received the very sad news that Star C Foster, who I worked briefly alongside at Shiny Media, passed away on Sunday morning.

Phillyist reports:

Dear Readers:

We regret to inform you that Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster passed away this morning. Star had been complaining of a pain in her foot, which she thought had to do with some bad moves she’d made at dancing class, but it turns out there was a tumor in her leg which matastasized and went to her heart. She had a seizure this morning, her boyfriend Mike called for an ambulance, she had another seizure on the way to the hospital, and then died of a pulmonary embolism.

Phillyist will be going on hiatus for the next few days, out of respect for Star and the massive impact she made on the site. Star was with Phillyist from day one, and we can’t convey to you how much we will all miss her.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Star’s loved ones. Please send a few of yours her way, too.

Thanks for all your love and support,
Jim Genzano & Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey
Editors

Though I didn’t know Star well, and had only communicated with her via the web, it doesn’t make the news any less sad or shocking. She will be missed by many.

Update: As I’ve been reading tributes, I was not only struck by how many people loved Star, but (selfishly, I know) also when I saw the date I realised she was only one year older than me. Sobering thought. Life can be so fragile.

Obituaries

Online Tributes

These tribute links are in no particular order, and have been built up since 11th December when I first heard the news. I’ll try to keep this list updated. There are other tributes in the comments section below this. I apologise if I’ve misnamed or omitted anyone’s site:

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12 Responses to “In memoriam: Star C Foster 1973-2006”

  1. Life in the Pink » Blog Archive » My Friend, Star Foster Says:
    December 11th, 2006 at 10:39 pm

    […] A lot of people miss my friend Star Foster, as it turns out. […]

  2. duncanriley.com » Lest We Forget: Star C Foster 1973-2006 Says:
    December 11th, 2006 at 10:54 pm

    […] Terrible news overnight that Star C Foster has passed away. Star was one of the first contributors to The Blog Herald, and although I only knew her from our email correspondence, her writing spoke volumes for the wonderful person she was. She only contributed to The Blog Herald for a short time before moving on to bigger and better things, including gigs for the Gothamist Network, Shiny Media, and a whole pile of other sites as well. Sarcasmo’s Corner was one of the first blogs I ever read on a regular basis, and on it you could see her personality shining through. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends, she’ll be missed by more people than you’ll ever realise. Indeed, I’m not sure exactly when she started blogging, but I’d think she would be pretty close to being a pioneer, certainly she was there in 2002, and was probably blogging longer than that. I say in all sincerity that I hope she truly does Rest in Peace, as someone who gave so much joy to others should surely deserve to, although it goes without saying that she was taken from this world far too early, and far too young. We won’t forget you Star. […]

  3. Michael Says:
    December 12th, 2006 at 1:11 pm

    In my many moments of not knowing what to do, of trying hard to find something to occupy the time so that I don’t have to confront things, i read these blogs. Reading through other peoples’ memories of my dear, lovely, beautiful Star helps. It just helps.

    I’ve found more for your collection, as well. Maybe they’ll help other people.

    Star’s dear friend Amy: http://www.vismajor.net/2006/12/dear-friend.html

    Amy’s husband, Tony: http://www.zensmile.com/2006/12/sarcasmo.html#links

    Dominic Mercier, Philly Photographer: http://dominicmercier.wordpress.com/2006/12/11/terrible-news/

    and, my own rambling, for the sake of completion: http://www.fullmotor.net/2006/12/young-miss.html#links

    I’m sure there are more. I know there are, because everyone in the world is seeming to come out and join their voices together. And she would be embarrassed. So let’s keep doing that.

    -m

  4. Cheryl Says:
    December 12th, 2006 at 6:05 pm

    Star made me a better writer, a better blogger, hell, probably a better person. Even though I never met her in person, I will miss her dearly.

    More of my thoughts here: http://victorialocal.blogspot.com/2006/12/goodbye-star.html

  5. Amy_VisMajor Says:
    December 12th, 2006 at 6:15 pm

    Andy: Thank you for compiling the list of tributes. We don’t know one another, but I’d like to ask you for the favor of adding to/updating it as you can. I’ve read the same tribute words over and over again, some written by people I know in the world and others I’ve never met, and they’re a comfort of some kind. I’m hungry for any kind of connection to Star, and reading the wonderful things people are thinking about her satiates that hunger just a little bit.

    Michael: You’re so right - she would absolutely be embarassed by all this attention. She’d tell us not to fuss so much. But, I vote with you - let’s keep praising her to the skies and embarrassing her as much as we can.

    Star: Just checking in to tell you I still miss you. Yep, still missing you.

  6. Andy Says:
    December 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pm

    Amy: I’ll do the best that I can. I feel unworthy to do it as others (even amongst those I’ve worked with) knew her much better than I did. Still, I can use web tools to find the words people are writing about Star, so I’ll certainly keep looking.

    Michael: I’m hopeless at words in these kinds of situations, and I can only imagine what you’re facing. Just know that there are many people around you, both physically and across the Net. I hope that makes everything even a tiny bit easier to bear. I know Star was taken way too soon, but linger on your good fortune for having gotten to know her and become special to her.

  7. * > the smedley log Says:
    December 13th, 2006 at 1:28 am

    […] Andy Merrett […]

  8. Debbie Foster Says:
    December 13th, 2006 at 2:04 am

    Andy,

    I can’t thank you enough for compiling this list. It has been such a source of comfort for me and my family. I too have visited here many times in the past few days to revisit the things that people have had to say about my sister. As always, Amy has managed to say exactly what I’m thinking.

    My sister was the most amazing person I ahve ever known. She lived life in a way that I aspire to live mine, and I hope someday I can make her proud.

    Thank you again.
    Debbie Foster

  9. Star L. Foster Says:
    December 13th, 2006 at 10:38 am

    Andy, I echo my daughter Debbie, and our friend Amy in thanking you from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how much this has helped us all the last few days. You say you didn’t know Star well, but I think you must have. What better than providing a place for us all to gather to love her.

    Thank you all,
    Star’s Mom

  10. Mike V. Says:
    December 13th, 2006 at 10:03 pm

    Couple more, just for the sake of completeness:
    http://xtingu.livejournal.com/307317.html
    http://yagathai.livejournal.com/662603.html
    http://twopennywords.com/?p=59

  11. Amy_VisMajor Says:
    December 13th, 2006 at 10:04 pm

    Andy: I really can’t thank you enough for keeping this collection going. Just when I think I’ve read everything there is to read, I find something else because you’re keeping it all together.

    One treasure is the guestbook for her obituary. I am loving all the stories people are telling.

  12. Mark Gardner Says:
    December 14th, 2006 at 8:55 pm

    One more. I’d be shocked if it was the last –
    http://www.phoenixtrap.com/~mjg/2006/12/regret-and-guilt.php

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