Obituary of Mabel Forrest

FORREST - Mabel Irene Forrest passed away peacefully at the Pine Island Lodge, Maidstone, Saskatchewan, on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the age of 94 years. She was born in Vancouver, British Columbia Nov. 7, 1913, the daughter of Ernest and Florence (Nichols) Squair who had just emigrated from England. In 1914 they moved to Paynton, Sask. and in 1920 settled in the Bear Island district north of Waseca where her family farmed, and from where her father worked as a carpenter building many homes and business places. Mabel first attended the Banana Belt School, and when Bear Island was built , finished her education there. On October 26, 1938, she married Frank Forrest , in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Forest Bank and they farmed and made Forest Bank their home until 1991 when they moved to Maidstone. She had two children, Donald and Eileen. 1. Mabel was dedicated to her family and to her community. In the early years she worked in the home of her brother, helping with the children, and thus became very close to her nieces and nephews. She played softball and basketball with the Bear Island girls, and of course enjoyed community functions like picnics and plays with the area young folk. She was a founding member of the Forest Bank Friendship Group, a ladies' club to organize and sponsor local events in the district. She was an ardent member of the church, and of the Maidstone Home and School Association when her children attended high school there. Mabel was a great homemaker, a terrific cook, and gardener. She knitted, sewed, and baked for five generations of her family. She loved camping, traveling, fishing, reading, houseplants, and visiting. Mabel is survived by- her son Donald, and Mary of Indian River, Ontario, and daughter, Eileen and Keith Evans of Waseca, Saskatchewan; her grandchildren: Kevin Forrest and Debbie Kroesen, Toronto, Jeffery Forrest, Indian River, Jennifer and Greg Hardwicke, Mississauga, Karen Evans and Brian Sjoberg, San Francisco, Kathy and Chris Jacobs, Salmon Arm, John Evans, Calgary, and Joanne Evans, Kelowna; her great grandchildren: Brooke Sjoberg, and Kaitlyn Jacobs; sister-in-law Beatrice Squair of Windfield, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by: her husband Frank Forrest; her parents; sisters, Vera and Ruby; brothers Jim , Sid, Norman, and Gordon; grandson Frank Forrest and great-grandson Zachary Forrest. The funeral service for Mabel was conducted from St. Paul's Anglican Church, Forest Bank, Sask. on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 10:30 am with Reverend Peter Yeung officiating. Hymns sung were "This is My Father's World" and "The Day Thou Gavest". Special music , "The Lord is My Shepherd," in beautiful harmony was sung by Lynn Blyth, Karen Johnston, and Ellen Oddan, accompanied on the organ by Eileen Evans. Pallbearers were Mabel's seven grandchildren. Interment followed at the Forest Bank Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Services Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks The family of Mabel Forrest sincerely thank all those who have expressed their sympathy through cards, visits, phone calls, floral tributes, food and monetary donations, to us upon the passing of our dear Mom and Gram. Sincere thanks also to Rev. Peter for his visits and comforting words; to Lynn, Karen, and Ellen for their beautiful rendition of The 23rd Psalm; to the grandchildren for bearing the casket; to Karen and Kevin for the readings; and to Eileen at the organ. Thank you to the F.B.F.G. for the lovely lunch, and for all the work done at the Community Centre and Church yard. Thanks to McCaws for their professional services. Last, but by far from least, we thank the staff at Pine Island Lodge for your compassionate and loving care shown to Mom all the while she made her home with you. Your kindness and support has by far exceeded your call of duty, and we are most appreciative. Don, Mary, and family. Eileen, Keith, and family. Donations in memory of Mabel may be made to the Maidstone Health Complex, Pine Island Suites or to the Forest Bank Church.