Florence Alexandria Foster

Florence A. “Didi” Foster, 110, of Bradenton, FL, walked into the arms of her Jesus on Saturday, July 24, 2021. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, on June 13, 1911, to immigrant parents, Alexander and Victoria Dadoorian, who had fled to the USA to escape the Armenian persecution of Christians by the radical Muslim Turks.

Didi was a talented singer, and as a child sang to raise money for Liberty Bonds during WWI. At age 18, after the loss of both parents, Didi pursued a professional career in singing in Atlantic City, NJ, where she met her talented husband, Arnold, who was a professional trumpet player. Together they traveled between Atlantic City and Miami, FL, performing in clubs and vaudeville.

Eventually, Didi trusted in Jesus as her Savior and got out of show business. Widowed, she left Miami and returned to Philadelphia, where she was employed at Girard College as a librarian. She eventually returned to Sarasota and worked for New College, where she retired in 1971.  After retirement, she became a private-duty CNA, volunteered at churches, prison ministries, homeless shelters, and nursing homes, always singing with her bigger-than-life voice to uplift people with encouraging Christian songs.

Didi survived all the wars from WWI to present, various plagues, including COVID; and after age 100, she survived two broken hips.  She was a remarkable person and always had a beautiful smile for everyone.

She is survived by nephew, Tom McFeeley (Sue), and Pamela Fulton (Tim) and Mary Ann Walkley (Andy), who were her guardians.  She was predeceased by her husband, mother, father, brothers: Issac and Joseph, and sisters: Esther and Rose.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her honor to CVIM (an orphanage in Liberia), c/o Harvesters International Mission, Inc., 3300 26th Ave., E., Lot 235, Bradenton, FL 34208-7210.  (Please mark CVIM on the memo line.

To view videos of Didi Foster.

Click link for her 100th birthday singing.

Click link for her receiving line.

Click link for Didi's arrival to her birthday party.