Diana Worth Foster
New York, NY

Diana Worth Foster, 67, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, died Sunday, February 20, 2011, in New York, after a brave and determined battle with leukemia. Born in Rochester, NY on May 24, 1943, and raised in Raleigh, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Thomas Clarkson Worth and Barbara Luther Worth.
She is survived by a daughter, Alison Foster Reining (Michael), of Midlothian, VA; and a son, Archibald M. Foster III (GiGi), of Locust Valley, NY; grandchildren, Halley, Charlotte, and Andrew Reining, and Trilby Foster. She is also survived by four brothers, Thomas C. Worth, Jr. (Sherry), Randolph L. Worth (Salli), Michael D. Worth, and Jonathan D. Worth (Ann), all of Raleigh. She is also survived by her special uncle, Colvin M. Worth, and her special aunt, Amanda P. Worth, and many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins
Diana was a 1961 graduate of Broughton High School, attended Mt. Vernon Junior College, and graduated from The University of North Carolina, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
While living in New York, Diana touched many lives while pursuing her multiple passions, including the culinary arts, art history, travel, and theatre. While a Southerner to the end, she drank in the culture and energy of the City and was truly a New Yorker at heart. She served the Metropolitan Museum of Art in many capacities for over 36 years. After joining the weekend volunteers answering questions at the front desk. her work evolved into giving tours of American paintings and sculpture, French and English decorative arts, finally coming to rest with the Impressionists. Hers was a tour not to be missed. She recently mentioned that her years as a docent at the Met "enriched my brain but, most of all, enriched my soul".
A new chapter in her life threw open doors to fresh adventures (including a trip to Hudson Bay to observe polar bears), a number of dear new friends, and a long career in development at the Japan Society. Her many years there instilled in her an appreciation of Eastern tradition and a deep love of Japanese culture. Her subsequent career as the Director of Development at St. Vincent's Hospital, gave her other, very different insights as well as an appreciation for the sacrifices men and women make to care for the indigent.
Throughout her life, Diana took great pride in helping others, in loving her family and friends, always with a joyful spirit and an interest in learning. She leaves her family and many friends in New York and Raleigh to cherish her memory.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 4, at 2 p.m., at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, with family receiving friends afterwards, in the Jane Bell Gathering Space.
Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Fighter's Fund/NY, Presbyterian Hospital, c/o Dr. Gail Roboz, 520 E. 70th St, STARR 341, New York, NY 10021, or to the charity of one's choice.