Barbara Mary Forsythe

Barbara Mary Forsythe Wife, Mother, Homemaker (DOB: 6/20/1941 in Chicago IL), Died 8/9/2021 (80yrs) in Naples, FL in her home, surrounded by her children.

Barbara's parents were Marie and Robert Thrane, both Deceased.

Married to Bobby Dean Forsythe Husband, Tool Grinder for General Motors (DOB 3/10/1935, died 9/7/2007)
Married 1960 - 2007

Barbara is the oldest of 3 siblings and has 2 surviving sisters:
Diana Znavor, 74
Patty Beasley, 70

Barbara has 4 Children:
Robert Daryl Forsythe 60, Divorced
Jennifer Rene' Bachman 59, Divorced from Michael Simmons, Married to Donald
Curtis Dean Forsythe 57, Married to Areen
Keith Benson Forsythe 44, Married to Tereza Kafka

Barbara has 6 Grandchildren:
Bradley Robert Forsythe, 34 (Daryl's)
Katie Lynn Forsythe, 30 (Daryl's)
Megan Rene' Simmons, 34 (Jen's)
Dean Michael Simmons, 32 (Jen's)
Olivia Kafka-Forsythe, 15 (Keith's)
Juliet Kafka-Forsythe, 13 (Keith's)

Mom grew up in Chicago in her early years, and then lived in Southern IL, in a little town called Ewing with her grandmother and grandfather for many years.   She met my dad at the wedding of her cousin, Helen, when she was just 15 years old.  

Bobby Dean married my Mother three years later and they moved to Countryside, IL in 1960. They  had 3 kids by the time she was 22 years old, and they had one more, Keith,  when mom was 35 and dad was 42.  Daryl, Curtis and I were teenagers by the time Keith came along, but he was such a wonderful addition to the family, and we all loved him dearly.  He may be 44 now, but he will always be the baby.

My mother and father instilled in us so many important and great qualities that have stayed with us to this day. We have mom's love of books, reading, travel, and thirst for knowledge, and we have dad's hard work ethic, sense of humor, and love for having fun.  Each one of us has reached financial and professional success in our careers, and I believe that my parents were a huge part of why we had such successes.

Mom's favorite things to do were fishing with my dad, parasailing when on vacations, dancing, going to the movies, and of course, her favorite thing in the whole world was to curl up in a comfy chair and read a good thriller or mystery.  

I have great memories of mom playing her old records, and dancing around and laughing with us as small children in the kitchen at our old house in Brookfield.  

When we were little, my parents took my brothers and I to many different churches.  Dad was raised Baptist, and mom was a Catholic.  However, we also went to a Methodist church and to other churches including the Jehovah Witness organization.  My parents always felt it was important to have God in our lives.

Although Curtis, Keith, Daryl and I are no longer a part of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization for various reasons, our family remains close to this day.  We know how precious the love of family is and the love of God is, and we all will love our parents and one another forever, no matter what.

For those of you who have reached out regarding mom and the needs of the family during this time, know that we appreciate it; and if you are able, mom and the family would appreciate your donating to help diabetes research through the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers.

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