April 16, 1954 – July 26, 2025

Mary Catherine Lynch passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved caregivers after seeing her family and friends on July 26, 2025. Born on April 16, 1954 in Mathews, Virginia, to Roland and Dora Foster, Mary’s life was filled with adventure, laughter, resilience, and an abundance of love.

From an early age, Mary made her mark on the world. She was proud of her high school athletic career, excelling on the basketball court as the only African American on her team.

Mary embarked on a life of travel and discovery. She lived in Germany, visited England, and explored numerous countries around the world before eventually settling back in the United States.

Mary’s journey eventually brought her back home to Virginia. She worked alongside her mother and aunts at the Crab Factory and later built a 16-year career at International Papers, retiring in 2016.

Mary shared a deep and special bond with her daughter, Ebony, and granddaughters, Joann and Lillian. She also spent many cherished years living with her sister Ann and nephew Roland John, who were by her side through thick and thin.

She is survived by her daughter, Ebony; nephew; Roland Holmes; granddaughters, Joann and Lillian; sister, Doris Foster-Curseen; brothers, Roland L. Foster and Nelson A. Foster (Barbara); a host of nephews and nieces along with great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many more family members and friends who will miss her deeply but carry her light with them always.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 2 at 11 a.m. at J.K. Redmond Funeral Home, Shacklefords, followed by interment at Windsor Gardens, Dutton, Va. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Gloucester Cancer Center or Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehab-Mathews.