LAURA ISABEL FORBES

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LAURA ISABEL FORBES (nee CROZIER) April 7, 1916 - June 8, 2015 Miss Carnduff 1932 passed away, at age ninety nine "and two twelfths". Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on Lodge 7 at Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg Manitoba, within hours of declaring "I love you all". She was comfortable in accepting death, often declaring "I've had a good life". Laura was born in Carnduff, Saskatchewan, to John Henry Crozier and Janet Isabel Crozier, and was the younger sister to Irene (Richardson) and Lloyd. Initially the family lived on a farm near Carnduff but later ran the hotel in the town. Those were very tough times during The Depression in Southern Saskatchewan and Laura learned much about compassion for others. After completing school in Carnduff, Laura studied Nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital where she graduated as a Registered Nurse just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. Laura, like so many others of her generation, rose to the call to help again and she enlisted as a Nursing Sister in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant and went to England for the duration of the war. She found the work with the wounded gratifying but difficult, later noting that she objected to the lack of aftercare for the severe emotional difficulties inflicted by the war. She had several near misses with meeting William "Bill" Douglas Forbes, an RCAF navigator during the war. They did however meet formally in Deer Lodge Veterans Hospital in Winnipeg Manitoba. They moved to the Riverview neighbourhood in Winnipeg and started their family with children Michael James; Richard Douglas and Mary Christine. Bill and Laura were longtime members of the Riverview United Church. Laura often said that raising her family was the joy of her life. In addition, she enjoyed playing bridge with neighbours and formed many wonderful and lasting friendships with the people in the area. Summertime was spent at the family cottage, first in Gimli and then at Glenn Bay north of Gimli. For a number of years Bill and Laura lived at Glenn Bay before aging and declining health forced them back to Winnipeg. Laura was predeceased by her parents, sister, brother, her husband and her sister and brother-in-law Anne and Robert "Bob" Peggie. She is survived by her children Michael (Angela), Richard (Karen Fletcher) and Mary; her grandchildren Frances, John, Carleigh (Neil Goebel), Allison, Sarah, Eric and Ashley; her great-grandson, Arlo; nieces and nephews and friends. Laura remained mentally sharp until her death, but issues with hearing and glaucoma ended her ability to live independently, and she moved to Deer Lodge. Her "I love you lots" was a standard refrain when visitors would leave. There will be a funeral service for Laura at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Laura's name to the Wounded Warriors of Canada or the War Amps of Canada. The family would like to extend their thanks to the many staff of Deer Lodge 7 both Tower and Lodge who over the years provided much help and support to Bill and Laura during their final years. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 13, 2015