Mary Ellen Forbes

Mary Ellen “Mitzi” Forbes, 93, died peacefully on October 23, 2024 at home. Mary Ellen was born in Albany, NY to John E. And Florence (Wisely) Webster. She was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names and was a “Rose” of St Rose College in Albany NY having earned an MS in Education. She studied Latin and was fondly referred to as “Mater” by her husband. She was a wonderful teacher to her children and also worked for the NYS Department of Tax and Finance.

Mary Ellen is predeceased by her loyal husband of nearly 60 yrs James Francis. They were married in the Lourdes Grotto VI in Albany NY. They both had a strong devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. She lived in the Albany area raising her children, moving to DeWitt NY, with her husband, James Francis in recent years. Her Catholic faith sustained her throughout her life.

Mary Ellen is also predeceased by her beloved sister Patricia and brother-in-law Dr. Ernesto Sabado. 

She is survived by daughter Michaela Forbes of Shelton, WA; daughter Karen (Robert) Palombo of Glenville, NY; son Mark Forbes of Syracuse, NY; daughter Katherine Forbes of DeWitt, NY; granddaughters Amber (Michael) Landrio of Amsterdam; Brooke (Justin) and great-granddaughter Lily Clark of Rotterdam, NY. Mary Ellen is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews. 

Mary Ellen was an elegant, true Lady. She loved her family, reading, cooking, politics, and singing along with the piano. What she most admired in her family were inner qualities and acts of service: volunteer firefighting, advocating for animals, feeding the homeless and devotion to marriage and children.

Mary Ellen was slow to criticize or judge and always modeled compassion. She had a deep love of nature and a love of neighbor. 

Thoughts of her: loyal to all things Irish, sitting on the wrap around porch, watching the fireflies and stars, having candles in thunderstorms, admiring the animals and butterflies, or sitting in the log cabin with a crackling fire. Most of all, thoughts of her with all of us walking down to “our” field by Deer River in the mountains singing “Loch Lomand”. Forbes, Gaelic forba “field”, descendants of the Scottish Noble Clan Forbes- “GRACE ME GUIDE”.

Funeral Mass Monday October 28, 2024 at 10am with calling hours 9-10am at Holy Cross Church DeWitt, NY Burial at 2pm Our Lady of Angels Cemetery Colonie NY