Antonetta "Toni" Campana Foster

Antonetta “Toni” Campana Foster was born on January 3, 1938 to Antonio and Francesca Campana in Naples, Italy.

She lost her battle with Alzheimer's peacefully surrounded by her loving family on October 15, 2024.

Toni became a child of God through baptism on January 5, 1938.

Toni shared many stories of growing up during WWII. This era molded her into a beautiful, tough, feisty and fun Italian girl. American soldiers, stationed in her town of Piscinola, befriended her and when her mom became ill and passed away an American soldier showed kindness and arranged to bring Toni and her brother Dominick to America.

In 1950,Toni (12) and Dominick (15) sailed two weeks from Naples to New York. They then boarded a train to Fort Collins, CO where they lived with foster parents Sam and Elvira Aranci.

They helped on the farm milking the cows and tending livestock. This developed a strong love of God’s beauty in the land and animals for Toni. She graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1959. Later that year she was married to James Foster DVM. They were blessed with 3 children in Fort Collins.

In 1963, they moved to Nebraska, residing in Ulysses for 22 years. They were blessed with four more children. Toni loved being an incredible mom to her seven children and many others. She made many friends, was a member of the Catholic church and worked as a noon aide at Ulysses elementary school. In 1985, Toni moved to Seward, worked as a seamstress and taught Catechism at St Vincents de Paul. She also provided a home to Concordia students from Poland and Slovakia. 

In 1998, she returned to Fort Collins to be with family. She made many friends and continued her work as God’s servant, always helping others. She worked on committees to build affordable housing, helped cook meals for CSU students and served communion at her church. She was an amazing cook and she hiked in the Rocky Mountains until her 80’s.

Her true love was spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling throughout the US and Italy. She even walked across the Golden Gate bridge just before she turned 80. Wherever she went she always shared joy with others. Her deep faith, love, laughter and feisty Italian personality leaves us with broken hearts but many warm memories.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her brother and sister in law, Dominick and Lina Campana. Her seven children and their spouses, Brian Foster, Pinedale, WY, Francesca and Bob Osias, Indio, CA, Cathy and Steve Wignall, Seward, NE, Steve Foster, Brighton, CO, Debbie Tish, Coshocton, OH, Danny Foster and Sheryl Schwartz, Windsor, CO, Sam and Brandi Foster, Kersey, CO. 15 amazing grandchildren and 9 adorable great grandchildren. Numerous nephews, niece and friends.