Patricia Marie Forbes' Obituary
Wonderful wife, mother, sister and friend, Patricia Marie “Pat” Forbes passed peacefully of complications related to cancer at 11:22am on Sunday August 11, 2024, in Lewes, Delaware surrounded by her loving family.
Pat’s life was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948 to William Wesley Higgins and Mary Elizabeth (Behm) Higgins, Pat grew up in a military family with six siblings. The family lived in Heidelberg, Germany; Fort Belvoir, VA; Mount Vernon, VA; Okinawa, Japan; Arlington, VA; and Carlisle, PA. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School, class of 1965, where she sang in the chorus and was the best shot on the rifle team.
Pat was the wife of Robert Glenn Forbes Jr., the love of her life. They met in 1965 at the Army base in Okinawa, Japan, where her family was stationed. Bob was removing his military boots to be shined, he looked up and saw Pat’s beautiful face and that’s where their love story began. Pat was attending the University of Maryland remotely and working for the Army as a secretary. Bob was a young Lieutenant in the Army. They were soon married on June 3, 1966, in Okinawa.
Pat and Bob built a wonderful family and life for themselves with their three children: Bob, David and Beth. They lived in Okinawa, Japan; Wilmington, DE; Fort Lee, VA; Fayetteville, NC; Hampton, VA; Poquoson, VA; Titusville, FL; and Manchester, MO. During their early years of marriage, the Coverdale, Nelson, and Bayliss families became important parts of their lives.
In 1987 Pat and Bob moved back to Poquoson, VA from Manchester, MO and lived happily for over a decade as their children went off to college and the working world. After Pat unexpectedly lost Bob in 1998, she dedicated herself to her family and a career in retail fashion. She lived and worked for a period in St. John, USVI where her son Bob lived. Pat returned in 2001 and lived and worked in Marthas Vineyard and then in Long Branch, NJ. She moved to Milton, DE in 2012 to be closer to her family. She managed the Kate Spade store in Rehoboth. Pat retired in 2017 and enjoyed gardening, reading and spending time with her family. She loved her four grandchildren Lelah, Lara, Cortland and Parker.
While Pat had a few lifelong friends, her youngest sister Peggy was her “person” in life, with whom she spoke multiple times every single day. Peggy was her confidant and her rock after Bob died. The Forbes family thanks Peggy, Phil and the Bayliss family for their support through everything.
Pat is survived by her children Robert Glenn “Bob” Forbes III, wife Molly, and their sons Cortland and Parker of Essex, CT; and David Michael Forbes, wife Jill, and their daughters Lelah and Lara of Alexandria, VA; and her daughter, Elizabeth Anne “Beth” Forbes of Wilmington, DE; her siblings, Mike Higgins, wife Kathy, children Heather, Emily and Andrew; Jimmy Higgins, wife Melody, children Margaret, Spencer, William, Brockton, and Chelsea; Maureen Higgins-Lauterbach, daughters Laura and Elena; John Higgins; and Peggy Bayliss, husband Phil, children Cathryn, Ashley and Philip; their spouses Jamie, Casey, and Amy; and their grandchildren Jack, Maggie, Taylor, Ryan, Riley and Philip; Behm Cousins Arthur, Theresa, Steven, Aurelie, Maryanne, Jeanette, and Michael.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am September 14, 2024, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Dr., Lewes, DE 19958 where family and friends may begin visiting at 10:00 am. At Pat’s request, bright and happy colors are preferred.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the M.S. Society of Greater Delaware Valley in Pat’s name are welcome.
Please sign Pat’s tribute wall at this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 9:00 AM ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024, TO ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE CHURCH.
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