Obituary of Patricia Ann Forbes

Patricia Ann Forbes, 80, passed away November 3, 2023. Her husband Alan, their children, and grandchildren were at her side surrounding her with an immense amount of love. Pat or Patty, as she was known, was born March 23, 1943 to Ralph and Mary Mitchell in Alameda, California. She was one of three children; she had an older sister and a younger brother. Mom was fond of saying that she and her siblings were “Navy brats.”

Mom and the love of her life, Alan B. Forbes, were married in 1961 and had just celebrated 62 years of marriage together. They had three children, Susie, Brian, and Michael. In 1977, they moved the family from California to Idaho to better enjoy the outdoors. Mom went to work for the Boise School District as school secretary at Maple Grove Elementary. Later, after earning her BA and MA in education, she taught second grade at Maple Grove and then Horizon Elementary. Mom loved those little kids, and was passionate about math, reading, and natural science – bats, bugs, and butterflies were her favorite units. 

Family was the most important thing in the world to mom. Her heart belonged to our dad, us kids, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Our summers as a family were spent at the Mexico and San Diego beaches, traveling the national parks, and camping at Deadwood Reservoir and in Bear Valley. She made our holidays magical; mom especially loved Christmas and the holiday bazaars. In retirement, she and dad enjoyed traveling, sapphire hunting, and their annual trips to the Yellowstone National Park area and Tucson’s International Gem and Mineral Show.

Mom is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Alan; kids Susie, Brian, and Michael; son-in-law Ron Osgood, and daughter-in-law Melanie Forbes. She also leaves behind her cherished sister Jeannie McLean; her brother-in-law Bob McLean, and their son and mom’s nephew Stephen Noyes and his family. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, her younger brother Michael Mitchell, and his son and Mom’s nephew, Alan Mitchell.

Mom was SO excited to become a grandmother. Holding her grand-babies and great grand-babies and buying them books and toys made her happy. She was blessed with three wonderful grandchildren and their families: Shayla and Colton Paskett and their daughter Adaline; Johnathan Forbes, his son Waylon, and his partner Mikaela Baird; and Vince and Sabrina Hatcher and their children Lilly and Carter.

Mom, you loved and are loved in return, always and forever. You are the heart and soul of our family, protective always, and without you nothing will ever be the same.

At her request, no services will be held.