DOVER, N.H. – The longtime owner and editor of Foster’s Daily Democrat was remembered Friday for taking an active role in the publication and for her devotion to her family.

Therese D. Foster died Thursday night at the St. Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a long illness. She was 83.

“Terri Foster joined her husband, Bob, in bringing the news to the people of Dover, the surrounding area and New Hampshire,” Gov. John Lynch said in a statement. “Together, they carried on the proud tradition of a true family-run newspaper. She was a strong presence in the newsroom for many years, and over the last several years I enjoyed the many discussions we had regarding the important issues facing our state and our nation.”

Wayne Chick, the newspaper’s vice president and general manager, said Foster enjoyed taking part in editorial review board meetings, especially those with political candidates. She occasionally wrote editorials.

He called her “one of the unsung heroes of the New England newspaper industry,” saying her support of the paper made it a success.

But as involved as she was in the newspaper business, family always came first. She fought to include one of her children, who had cerebral palsy, in a regular educational environment, long before the concept of mainstreaming became popular, Chick said.

Her husband of 58 years, Robert H. Foster, died in 2009.

Therese Foster is survived by three children and four grandchildren.