Faith Foster, 68, of Boothbay, died November 15, 2013, at her niece’s home in South Freeport.

She was born on March 28, 1945, in Rochester, N.Y., the daughter of Marie (Eisenhart) Foster and Frederick Gordon Foster. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a teaching certificate from Denver University where she was an avid skier.

After college, she taught in the Denver inner city public schools, in Hawaii and grade four in Bartlett, N.H. While teaching in Bartlett, she introduced all fourth grade classes in SAU #9 Conway N.H., to the Tin Mountain Outdoor Program, writing the first environmentally focused curriculum in the local public schools. She also introduced Bartlett Elementary School children who did not downhill ski to cross-country skiing as part of the Eastern Slope Ski Club program. Both programs still thrive today.

In 1976 she moved to Boothbay with husband, Arthur Webster, where they built a house and raised their two children. In Boothbay she taught swimming, served on the school board and together with four women founded and administered Great Explorations, the popular summer enrichment program for children in grades K–8 that ran successfully for more than 20 years.

Ever the consummate teacher, Faith believed that a good education was the foundation of a fulfilling and happy life, and that an educated populace was key to a successful democracy.

Together with her husband and brother- and sister-in-law, she co-owned Orne's Candy Store in Boothbay Harbor, and was a fixture behind the counter for more than 30 years, brightening the lives of the many patrons and friends who came to see her every season.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Arthur D. Webster; two sons, Areth Foster-Webster and wife Sandy Gonzalez of Cambridge, Mass., and Adam Foster-Webster and wife Anna Kerr Bacon, and grandson, Theodore Bacon Webster of Cape Elizabeth; two sisters, Gail Paine of Intervale, N.H., and Lee Wood of New York, N.Y.; two brothers, F. Gordon “Butch” Foster of Allison Park, Pa., and John Foster and wife Donna of Twin Mountain, N.H.; and numerous nieces, nephews and their progeny on both sides of the Foster and Webster tree, and many close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: “Great Explorations Fund,” c/o Superintendent of Schools, 51 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

A celebration of Faith is planned for Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, 2 p.m. at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor.