Evelyn “Brandy” Foster, Jodie Foster’s manager until her prestigious Academy Award wins in 1991, passed away at 90.
Foster and her siblings Lucinda, Constance, and Bud wrote a touching obituary in memory of their mother. Evelyn was said to have been suffering from dementia in recent years, which contributed to her death.
Her family described her as a fiercely passionate woman full of life and love, which was never afraid to stand up for herself. Her signature look was naturally curly hair and a petite five-foot height, but she filled any room she entered with her larger-than-life presence.
She was known for her contagious smiles, warm embraces, and strategic use of four-letter words, which explained why no one dared to mess with Nana! It is said that she will live on in each member of her family forever. Her unmistakable spirit will be missed but fondly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Evelyn “Brandy” Foster, a beloved mother of four born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, died on May 13, 2019, at her home due to dementia complications.
In the 1940s, she moved to California to pursue her singing career with big bands. There, she met Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Foster, whom she eventually married.
The couple had four children: Lucinda, Jodie, Constance, and Bud. During her time in the entertainment industry, Brandy worked as a publicist for celebrities such as Grace Kelly, Gregory Peck, James Stewart, and Marilyn Monroe, all of whom were represented by legendary publicist Arthur Jacobs.
Her family has asked that those who wish to pay their respects not use flowers but instead look up at the sky and say her name aloud; they believe she would have appreciated this gesture.
She took on the responsibility of managing her youngest daughter Buddy’s acting career as a single mother of four in her thirties.
Buddy rose to prominence as Ken Berry’s son on the television show Mayberry RFD, and Jodie won her first commercial at the age of three, the famous Coppertone ad from the 1960s. Evelyn continued to guide Jodie’s career until she won a second Best Actress Oscar in 1991 for The Silence of the Lambs.
Evelyn treated Paris as a second home, spending time with her grandchildren exploring its streets and collecting art for her Ile de St. Louis apartment. Sundays were spent surrounded by a collection of art and architectural periodicals, as I am an aesthete.
Unsurprisingly, Evelyn was passionate about social justice issues, frequently voicing her opinions with venom and being an avid fan of foreign films.
Evelyn was a force to be reckoned with; she never backed down from a challenge and frequently triumphed. Those who knew her admired her fierce determination and character strength.
Her family remembers her for her distinct sense of style, enhanced by her thick “corkscrew” curls, dimple-framed smiles, and five-foot-tall stature.
She had a salty tongue, which she used greatly during conversations. Nana will never be replaced as an irreplaceable part of many people’s lives.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that loved ones look up to the sky and remember Evelyn’s name in their hearts. That is the best way to show how much she meant to them because it would make her smile no matter where she is now.
Her death has caused deep sorrow in the lives of those who knew and loved her, but they are left with fond memories and admiration for having been blessed enough to share such a strong bond with such an incredible woman.
