Mary G. Forde

Mary G. (Pince) Forde, 86 CARLSBAD -- Mary G. Forde died peacefully in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on Friday, September 24, 2010. She lived her 86 years as a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, auntie, grandmother, great-grandmother, and patriot. Born July 21, 1924, in Quantico, Va., Mary spent her young life as a true Marine Corps "junior," spending several years in Haiti and moving from East Coast to West Coast and back again. The oldest of six children, she learned early on the responsibilities and joys of taking care of others. In high school, she was a cheerleader for the Quantico Marine football team; her 1942 photo inspired a young Corporal John E. Forde, Jr. to seek her as his future bride. (He would get his chance to finally meet her in person two years later.) Following high school and during the early years of World War II, Mary worked at the War Department (Director of Weather) as a Junior Scientific Aide (Meteorologist) in Washington, DC, then in San Diego at Ryan Aeronautical. She was an avid volunteer at the USO and the Veteran's hospitals during that time. On April 11, 1944, she married John E. Forde, Jr, then a U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant. She spent the next 38 years again moving across the country. Along the way, she gave birth to four children: Candace, John, Mary and Bridget, and focused her time exclusively on raising her children and supporting the Marine Corps that she loved so much. She was the model military wife. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, as a Navy- Marine Corps Relief counselor, an American Red Cross "grey lady," and she served on several Officers Wives' Club boards. She loved gourmet cooking and dabbled at knitting, needlepoint and crewel embroidery. She was a meticulous housekeeper and loved to decorate her home for every holiday throughout the year. She rocked every one of her babies until they were too big for her lap. In 1977, during John's last year on active duty, Mary settled in Carlsbad. She worked as one of the original employees at The Broadway, Carlsbad, working part-time in the China Department until her retirement in 1994. Mary also remained an active member of the Camp Pendleton Officers Wives' Club and continued with community outreach volunteer activities. Mary loved to travel and spent much of her free time taking trips to see family and friends all over the country. Her family was deeply important to her, and she in turn was adored by all of them. She spent the last year of her life living in Hawaii, a place she dearly loved. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Lt.Col. John E. Forde, Jr. (USMC) in 2001; and her son, Sgt. John E. Forde, III (USAF) in 2000. She is survived by her daughters, Candace (Donald) Charlet of Hurricane, Utah, Lt. Col. Mary L. Forde (USMC, Ret), and husband Col. William Febuary, (USMC, Ret) of Ewa Beach, HI, and Bridget Ferrer and husband, CAPT. John Ferrer, USN of San Diego, Calif.; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was remembered at a Memorial Mass in Ewa Beach, HI, on October 8, 2010. Interment of ashes and a private Celebration of Life will be held in San Diego on October 22, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any organization serving our U.S. Armed Forces or their families. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com