Selina Montague Foster

Our beloved daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, cousin, and friend died Friday at 6:45pm. She was caring and compassionate, always there for her family and friends, and she lived with courage and integrity to her last days. She was an outdoor enthusiast and a brilliant poet and mathematician. Her published poetry has inspired many and won national awards. She graduated magna-cum-laude from Westminster College with a distinction in mathematics and was accepted into multiple PhD programs to continue her studies. She has published and presented her research at the international level. She passionately shared her academic talents with others through a commitment to service at the Westminster writing and tutoring center. Outside of her academic life, Selina was a leader in the Westminster Outdoor Program and was an accomplished athlete in big mountain skiing, backcountry touring, and backpacking. Selina was diagnosed with PTSD in 2012 and it was discovered within the past six months that she was raped and abused as a 4 year old. Over 18 of her 22 years Selina battled the grief, despair, and falsely negative self-image that these atrocious events engendered. To save them from the torment, she concealed her pain from family and friends. This she took upon herself to bear alone. Over time her condition intensified, and Selina courageously battled her disease for nine months in a residential treatment facility. In spite of her efforts, Selina was finally taken by the incomprehensible pain that plagued her for 18 years. She died last Friday, effectively murdered by the man who raped her. Selina lives on in our hearts. She was, at her core, a vibrant spirit. Her life was full and her joys abundant. She was passionate about the people, places, and things she loved which included dogs, topology, literature, skiing, hiking, film, mountains, musical theater, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and plaid, to name a few. She did nothing halfway. Selina was happiest and most at peace in the mountains, preferably with her beloved English Setter Rhia at her side. Everyone who had the privilege to know her, loved and admired her. She will live forever in her creative and academic published works, in the mountain air she called home, and above all in the many lives of those she touched. We love you Selina. Thank you for everything you gave to this world. Please forego flowers and donate to efforts that prevent child sex crimes: https://www.gofundme.com/selinamemorialfund