By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

Anna Lucarello Foultz

(Sept. 26, 2019) Anna Lucarello Foultz, a beloved figure of Ocean Pines and the Worcester County community, died 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, at age 93.

Foultz, who was said to be the oldest Girl Scout in the United States, was a member of countless organizations throughout the community, including the Sons of Italy, Kiwanis, Juliettes, Star Charities and a bridge club among others.

“Our beloved treasure, Anna Foultz, has organized her last fundraiser, written her last column, played her last game of bridge and pinochle,” Her daughter, Shirley Isbell, said. “Anna has ridden in her last parade, organized her last beef and beer, collected her last gift for the soldiers and everyone who knew her will feel a tremendous loss.

“She left this world … after she gave away the last bit of her big heart,” she continued. “Her last words were, ‘From wherever I am, I will love you always.’”

The beginning of Foultz’s life was as remarkable as the rest of her journey. She was born in her grandfather’s barbershop in Camden, New Jersey on Jan. 11, 1926.

The third child out of six born to an Italian Catholic family, Foultz spent most of her young childhood toiling away in factories or other odd jobs during Prohibition. Her mother and father were musicians and performers and would occasionally include Foultz in singing in front of crowds.

Foultz would meet her future husband, Carl “Gill” Foultz, at the age of 14. Carl and Anna married Nov. 3, 1945, right after his return from his four-year service in World War II. They raised three children: two girls, Betty Ann and Shirley, and one boy, Carl “Gilly” Jr.

Foultz would not become a Girl Scout until she was a mother, in 1958. Her eldest daughter, Betty Ann, wanted to become a Scout.

“I wanted my daughter to know the values of life,” Foultz had said in an interview last year. “But they didn’t have a leader. So, they said, ‘Well, she can’t join – we don’t have any leaders. Will you be a leader?’ I said I don’t know anything about this. [But] I said alright, I’ll take a chance at it.”

Foultz taking a chance at it ended up making her the longest active member of the Girl Scouts, with the organization making her a lifetime member.

Foultz’s charitable work led to many awards, some from high-ranking officials, including congressional awards signed by Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush.

In addition to meeting five presidents – Carter, Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush – she’s had the chance to meet other famous celebrities, like Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor.

Foultz moved to Ocean Pines from Myrtle Beach, Florida in the 1970s, after a friend begged her to visit. Her decision to move her came from a misinterpretation.

“I thought my friend lived in Atlantic City,” Foultz had said in a previous interview. “My friend said, ‘I don’t live in Atlantic City; I live in Ocean City!’ and I said, ‘Where is that?’ I didn’t know anything about it. She took me to the country club, and I said ‘Oh, I love it here! I’m going to buy something here.’

“So, the very next day, I went to the Realtor, and my husband went fishing,” Foultz continued. “So, I looked everywhere and I said I’m buying some property. I found this [house] real cheap, [went] to the family and said, ‘I’m paying cash.’ So, I never told my husband.”

By her account, her husband was not pleased with her decision, when she told him several months later.

Nevertheless, Carl and Anna fit right into the Ocean Pines community. Carl fished and worked, and Anna kept being Anna.

Anna and Carl created their own fundraiser in 2007, STAR Charities, a nonprofit organization designed to help a multitude of others through events and fundraisers. “STAR” stands for Sharing Time and Resources. The organization donates food, clothing, and money to various causes.

In 2017, she published a memoir about her life; “Two Steps Forward,” with the help of her youngest daughter, Shirley.

“[Our] family wants to thank all the friends who have loved Anna Foultz and helped her throughout her lifetime of service,” Isbell said. “Since the day she was born in a barbershop on Jan. 11, 1926, Anna has touched so many lives with her brave spirit and selfless acts of kindness.”

Foultz was considered a treasure among residents and volunteers. Her work and humble attitude precedes her, and she was always there to offer her assistance, whether you asked for it or not.

Foultz will be interred with her husband, Carl, at Arlington Cemetery. A service and date had not been determined at the time of publication.