A celebrated Aberdeen musician who touched the lives of many has died at the age of 83.
Winifred “Winnie” Foster took on many musical roles throughout her life, including as a school teacher and composer.
Born in 1934 and brought up in the Hardgate in Aberdeen, Mrs Foster was educated at the Central School, before studying briefly at Gray’s School of Art.
In the 1950s she emigrated with her fiance to Toronto, Canada where her two daughters, Margaret and Caroline were born.
She returned to the north-east after her marriage ended, and in 1964 enrolled to study an MA Honours in music at Aberdeen University.
There she would meet her husband-to-be Charles Foster, who was one of her classmates.
After graduating, Mrs Foster spent two years as a music teacher at Torry Academy, before moving to Kincorth Academy and its feeder primaries, where she worked until taking early retirement in 1984.
Mr Foster said: “Winnie worked tirelessly to promote the musical development of her pupils, and was a particularly sensitive and obliging piano accompanist.
“Many of the pupils she helped nurture went on to become professional musicians, or developed life-long involvement with music.”
In 1975 the couple founded the Kincorth Waits Early Music Group, which performed Renaissance music on a variety of instruments.
The group developed a following in Aberdeen, with its success leading to performances at the Schools Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell Room in London and an appearance on Blue Peter.
Mrs Foster collaborated with the late playwright Charles Barron for many years.
Most recently, she wrote the music and lyrics for a number of Mr Barron’s musicals.
These included Pond Life in 2006, a musical about life at the new Scottish Parliament, and Doric musical Catherine which toured the north-east in 2011.
Mr Foster said: “Music aside, Winnie was a loving wife, mother, sister and doting grandparent to her grandson Oliver.
“She lived a long and very productive life, before her health finally began to deteriorate in her late seventies.
“It was a very sad day when she had to give up playing her beloved piano.
“Winnie’s final, characteristically generous act was to bequeath her body to medical science.
“She will be fondly remembered by many for the beautiful music she created, for her kindness, and for her generosity in sharing her unique and precious gift.”
