Judith Ann “Judi” Foster (born Carnegie), 80, of Arcata, passed away on October 3, 2026, leaving behind a family and community deeply shaped by her love, generosity, humor, and unwavering care for others.

Judi was born in 1946 and raised in Parma, Ohio, by her loving parents, Gordon and Anne Carnegie. She grew up alongside her siblings, Jeanie Carnegie, Dan Carnegie, Scott Carnegie and Richard Carnegie.

In the early 1970s, Judi headed west to California with her son, Robert Foster. After initially settling in Southern California, she spent several years in Venice Beach before moving north to Whitethorn around 1976, drawn to the back-to-the-land movement and the possibility of building a different kind of life. It was during this chapter of her life that she welcomed her daughter, Coral Foster. After spending time in other parts of California, Judi eventually made her way to Arcata, which would become her home for approximately the final 30 years of her life.

Judi’s life took her through many communities, each of which she left a little more connected than she found it. During her years in Venice, she participated as a supporting artist on a mural in the Venice canals (Dell and Venice) that brought attention to gentrification and its impact on the community. Her commitment to social justice and standing up for others remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.

Judi graduated from Merced College with an associate degree as well as a B.S. Degree in Paralegal Studies University of West Los Angeles and went on to spend more than 30 years working as a paralegal before eventually retiring in Arcata.

Family was an important part of Judi’s life, and she took great pride in her seven grandchildren: Caitlyn Patterson, Kenneth Scott, Cameron Wells, Kaden Wells, Shawn Foster, Dylan Foster, and Olivia Foster. Over the years, she played an active role in helping to raise and support her grandchildren.

Judi also found family well beyond blood. She attended Arcata Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, and found tremendous community, friendship, and engagement through the senior resource center in Arcata, which she attended weekly later in her life.

Even in her final years, Judi remained deeply engaged with the world around her. She regularly attended weekend protests, continuing to stand up for her beliefs and the causes and communities she cared about.

That was Judi. She cared deeply about people. She brought people together and connected communities that might otherwise never have found one another. She didn’t need to have much in order to give; whatever she did have, she shared. Her generosity was not about abundance, but about the belief that there was always room at the table for someone else.

She was kindhearted, funny, passionate, and a hippie through and through. She loved fiercely, cared loudly, and spent a lifetime showing up for the people and causes that mattered to her.

Judi was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Anne (Ford) Carnegie.

She is survived by her siblings, Jeanie Carnegie, Dan and Renate (Boulton) Carnegie, Scott and Sherie (Vogler) Carnegie and Richard and Dianne (Zelenskas, formerly Lively) Carnegie; her children, Robert and Jennifer (Wehrmann) Foster and Coral Foster; and her seven grandchildren, Caitlyn Patterson, Kenneth Scott, Cameron Wells, Kaden Wells, Shawn Foster, Dylan Foster and Olivia Foster. She is also survived by Caitlyn’s wife, Olivia Henderson, as well as the many friends, neighbors, fellow activists, church members and community members whose lives she touched.

Judi may have spent her life moving between communities, but wherever she went, she created home. She will be missed more than words can adequately express, and the love, humor, generosity, and sense of justice she gave so freely will continue through the people she leaves behind.

A celebration of Judi’s life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced once arrangements have been finalized.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Judi Foster’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.