Lois Forsythe

Lois Evelyn Forsythe

(nee Burton)

There will be a celebration of Lois' Life on Monday April 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Trinity United Church.

Peacefully on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, Lois Forsythe passed away with family by her side, in the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 93 years.

Lois was predeceased by her husband Jack Forsythe; son Robert Burton Forsythe; parents Ruby and Milton Smith Burton and brother Ron Burton. She is survived by her son Bill (Lue) Forsythe of Whitehorse, YT, granddaughter Lori (Don) Hogue with great grandson Liam and grandson Jason Krauchi (Shannon Dunsmore) and children Madison and Ryan; daughter Tricia Forsythe (Denis Lachapelle) of Virden , MB and children Clifford and Lance Lachapelle; sister-in-law June Burton of Vernon , BC and many nieces and nephews.

Lois was born in Portage la Prairie, and married Jack Forsythe from High Bluff on August 16, 1941. She worked for many years as a Dental Nurse for Dr. Bailey. She also worked for Portage Mutual and a brief time as a stenographer for Waterloo Manufacturing Co. In later years she worked with Jack as Secretary / bookkeeper for Forsythe's Ski Doo. Lois was a very active person all her life. She enjoyed music and skating in her youth and even met her husband Jack at the skating rink. The activities she took the most pleasure in were knitting, playing the piano, reading, and watching Lawrence Welk with Jack. During WWII she took a practical nursing course and helped the Red Cross with the Blood Donor Clinics. Education meant a lot to Lois and she continued to learn several years after Grade 12 subsequently receiving her BA from the U of M in 1976 and her Certificate in Theology from the U of W in 2004. She also received an award for Lifelong Learning from Blue Cross and Creative Retirement Manitoba in 2004.

She was an active member / volunteer in many organizations including Ruth Rebecca Lodge #3 where she was Past Noble Grand and received the Degree of Chivalry; the DORCAS Society; 8 years on the Hospital Board; Honorary Patrol Officer; University Women's Club; UCW Unit B; Trinity United Church a�" where she also taught Sunday School for many years; Portage District Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of ARC Industries; Portage Arts Council a�" Exhibition Board; Portage and District Music and Arts Festival; Member of the Manitoba Lotteries Commission Board; Chaired the first Winter Fun Festival; Canada's Centennial and Portage la Prairie's Centennial. She also delivered once a month for Meals on Wheels, and was a voluntary Literacy Tutor.

The family would like to thank Dr. Parker and the staff on the medical ward and ETU at the Hospital. Mavis Scarf and all the Homecare staff that she had over the 6 years she was house bound and Bev who delivered her meals on a daily basis. Lois felt very fortunate to have such good and caring friends who visited over the years.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Lois' memory to Trinity United Church Memorial Fund, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1W7 or Community Foundation of Portage & District - Education, P.O. Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3J9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com