Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and best friend Norma Jean Forst, age 93, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Mom was born in Anderson on December 14, 1926 to John and Bernice (Hoppes) Brooks. She graduated from Anderson High School and married Norman Forst of Tipton, IN on July 7, 1951. They enjoyed a 44-year marriage until his passing in 1995.
For over 30 years, Mom was an emergency room charge nurse at St. John’s Hickey Memorial Hospital and Community Hospital, both in Anderson. She was a dedicated healthcare professional who cared deeply for those she treated. Her last show of kindness on this Earth was being a tissue donor.
Mom lived her life at full speed and never slowed down. She loved to sit at a slot machine in Las Vegas and put nickels in for hours at a time. There were countless Cincinnati Reds games, and she was fond of saying there would never be another time in baseball like the “Big Red Machine.” She loved traditional country music, especially the late George Jones. She saw several of his concerts. At one, he didn’t show up. Mom needed to be reminded that’s why he earned the nickname “No Show Jones.”
When she was a young girl in the early 1930s, Mom’s parents started to vacation at Silver Lake near Traverse City, MI. Her intense love for the area was passed on to our family, and the tradition continues today through four generations. In September, we will spread a portion of her ashes across the lake where so many wonderful memories of her reside and will always reach out to us. Nowhere will we feel her presence more than at our little lake in northern Michigan.
But of all her earthly loves, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family were at the top of the list. We were all drawn to her like a magnet. Everything was somehow better if Mom was involved. And something was somehow lacking if she couldn’t be there. And for our family, life will never be quite the same without her.
Mom was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Anderson. She had a loving relationship with our Lord, and we are comforted to know she is with Him today.
She is survived by her children, son Dan Forst (Teresa) of Greenfield, and daughter Cindy Forst Jacobs (Bob), of Chesterfield. Grandchildren Alison Forst Lomellin (Dave), Fishers, Danny Forst, Fishers, Bobby Jacobs (Claire), Dearborn Heights, MI, and Andrew Jacobs, Chesterfield. Great-grandchildren Vincent, Owen, Claire, and Robby.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service, 229 S. Rangeline Road in Anderson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Anderson-based Animal Protection League at inapl.org.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.