Star C. Foster

It is with shock that I pass on the following from Phillyist - Star C. Foster of Sarcasmo's Corner and Phillyist has passed away of a sudden pulmonary embolism.

Star was long a supporter of Philly Future, and a fixture of the Philadelphia blogging scene. Along with her personal blog at Sarcasmo's Corner and her postings at Phillyist, she posted at Shiny Shiny, a gadget blog, and has shared over 2,800 photos at Flickr.

Star made the Philadelphia blogosphere a warmer, greater place and I'm crying while typing this.

My heart, my prayers, go out to her family and friends right now, as I'm sure the entire Philadelphia regional blogosphere's do as well.

Update: Debbie Foster checks in with a post from their mom: From my Heart:

She went first a lot of the time. As the eldest child she went off to kindergarten first and away to college first. She was the first to leave the nest and go out on her own. And one day she told me she had started an online web log, or "blog" as she called it, and I could read it if I wanted to. Yesterday, she went first again, leaving us all behind in shock and in pain.

She, if anyone ,would understand my need to post this. We used to talk about how it was easier sometimes to keep stuff to yourself, rather than get into long involved discussions and explanations with people who couldn't do much but listen anyway.We used to joke that if there was a support group for this malady it would go something like this:
" How is everyone today?"
"Fine"
"Fine"
"Fine"
"Fine"
"Okay then, same time next week?"
So I know she will understand that while I have heard her father and her sister break the shattering news to people, I have not yet said the words. In fact I may never. But I think I need to somehow express it, so here goes. My daughter died yesterday. My beautiful daughter, my first born, who threw her head back when she laughed, lived life at faster than the speed of sound and who could put written words on paper and make them live.

She wasn't meant to go first this time. She was 33. It was totally unexpected, and we are devastated. Everyone grieves in their own way. Some reach out, I retreat in. I feel bad for people who want to comfort me because you can't. There's not a hug ,or a phrase in the whole wide world that will make this better. For those who are looking to me to give them solace, well, you might not get it. At the moment the thread of my existence is stretched to the limit, and I am trying not to let it snap.

Star was at a good place in her life. She was happy. She was writing , she was dancing and living life to the fullest. It was somewhat of a family joke that before we made plans we had to check with Star to see if she could fit us in her busy schedule. As we were thinking about who to call yesterday we were struck by all the different groups of friends she had. They overlap here and there, but Star brought them all together. And to her friends, who have rallied together, and all around us, I need to say thank you. If he measure of one's worth is one's friends, then Star was truly wealthy indeed. There are many lovely tributes on the internet and I will post some links to them at the end.

I love her. I miss her.

Condolences, tributes and thoughts posted across the region
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Jim Genzano, Phillyist editor: Sarcasmo:

Star Foster was easily one of the kindest, coolest, smartest, funniest, most courageous, most talented, most giving, most wonderful, and just all around best people I've ever known. She always encouraged me to try things she knew I could do, and I thank her for that. She also always gently chided me when I said or did something stupid, and I thank her for that, too. If the world were at all fair, she'd be ruling it now from inside her dual lairs (one in her beloved London, one in Philly), and we'd all be working for her robot slaves. But, as we all know, the world is not fair, and we have to say good-bye to her. So, good-bye, Star. You were one of the good ones. I'll miss you more than I can ever say.

Michael, her boyfriend, in the same thread:

It's three in the morning and I just cannot sleep. Last night Star and I were together laying in bed. I was forcing her to watch the director's cut of Miami Vice and we were snacking on cookies. And tonight she's gone. And I don't know what to do without her. So I'm just going to write for a minute, like I've been doing all over the damned internets. She'd like that.

Star loved all of you. She adored writing and was commited to bringing all of you guys the fun, pithy posts that you all had grown to love. I got to accompany her on interviews and shows and such and she lit up a little bit every time she got to do soemthing relating to Phillyist, or just some writing in general.

I don't really know what to say from here. I want to say more but I'm getting blubbery. So let her writing talk. Go to her websites. Check out sarcasmoscorner.com, or read some of her backlog here at Phillyist. Get to know her.

I love you, Star.

Star's former husband on his blog, "Hey Emmett!": Star C. Foster 1973-2006:

Friends of Star, you are hereby put on notice.

Write that book. Sing that song. Dance in the streets. Kiss people. Reject mediocrity and forge your own way. A brilliant woman's life ended this morning, and if she failed to inspire you, so be it. If she did inspire you (and she did, even if you don't know it yet), go out there and live the way she did. When you go to Rittenhouse Square, kiss that frog. She always did.

Life in the Pink: Star:

My friend Star Foster died today, of a pulmonary embolism. Unexpected is not a strong enough word to describe her death. She was just fine, and then she was dead. She was one of the friends I was coming to Philly to see, and now she is gone.

Star was cute as a button and sharp as a tack, the kind of person who makes you wonder what the hell you’re doing with your life. She wrote Sarcasmo’s Corner and wrote for Phillyist and Shiny Shiny and several other blogs. She was a good writer, and good at getting words on the page, although the page in this case was usually a webpage. She was an extra in a horror movie, was learning to ballroom dance, loved singing at the piano bar, loved traveling, loved Philadelphia. She took photos. She was funny, and warm, and kind.

*Wednesdays Off: From My Heart - a remembrance from Star's mother
Phillyist: Sarcasmo - Michael, her boyfriend shares a comment in the thread
Fables of the reconstruction: Philly Blogger Sarcasmo Dies
philly: Goodnight Star
pesky'apostophe: Je regrette
Metroblogging Philadelphia: Farewell Sarcasmo
PhiLLy RoLL: I Wish I'd Met Her
Blankbaby: Sarcasmo no more
the smedley log: *
Andy Merrett: In memoriam: Star C Foster 1973-2006
Strolling Luna: It can't be!
Apartment 2024: Chicken fat and tragedy
Shiny Shiny: Sad news about Star C Foster
Grand Text Auto: Star C. Foster
iFlipFlop: Star Bright
Bling: Star
Akkam's Razor: Mourning in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Will Do: Star Foster
The Tattered Coat: Star C. Foster, RIP
A Cup of Ambition: Star
Duncan Riley: Lest We Forget: Star C Foster 1973-2006

In an email received earlier today in regards to services for Star
Services for Star will be Thursday, December 14 at
Campell's Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia
500 East Benner Street (Right off of Rising Sun Avenue)

There will be a viewing from 10 a.m. - noon for friends, family and colleagues to pay their respects.

There will be a service starting at noon.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made in Star's name to the Star. C. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central High School.

Donations can be made to the Associate Alumni of Central High School
(please make checks payable to AACHS)
P.O. Box 26580
Philadelphia PA 19141

It is our intent that the scholarship, once it is set up, will allow an award to be given to a female student who is an aspiring writer to use for her college education.

Please feel free to disseminate this information to anyone and anywhere you can think of.

Thank you to everyone on behalf of our family for all of the support we have received. We can't begin to thank each of you enough for all you have done and said.

Debbie and Robin Foster