Rose Forbes

Rose Lawe Forbes passed away on November 18, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. Born in 1940 in North Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Rose's arrival marked the beginning of an extraordinary life defined by intelligence, resilience, generosity, and grace.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Forbes (May 25, 1927 - January 25, 2004), whom she married on June 6, 1967, and by her beloved son, Collin Forbes (June 2, 1970 - October 25, 2018). Over the course of her life, Rose endured the loss of her entire immediate family, a series of heartbreaks she carried with quiet strength and dignity. She also survived cancer, facing illness with the same courage and determination that defined so much of her life.

Her 1958 Donora High School Yearbook captured her spirit in a way that would prove prophetic: "Intelligence abounds ... ambitious ... for something well done, call Rose ... future success guaranteed ... writes a fine feature story and drives a mean Dodge!" For those who knew her, these words rang true to the remarkable woman she became—perhaps with the exception of the "mean Dodge," as her taste in cars evolved over the years.

Rose graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and again in 1964 with a Master's Degree in Foods and Nutrition. She later pursued doctoral studies, completing all coursework and research, though she did not finish her thesis after the birth of her son, Collin, when her priorities lovingly shifted. She went on to teach at the University of Idaho, where she became a Professor Emerita of Family and Consumer Sciences. Teaching at the same university Collin attended was a gift she deeply cherished, as it allowed her to be present for his school activities—something of great importance to her.

A lifelong philanthropist, Rose was known for her extraordinary generosity. She quietly and consistently supported organizations and nonprofits across the United States, including in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Her passions included Audubon societies, wildlife and natural conservancies, universities, medical and health institutions, pet organizations, alternative transportation, and a wide range of community-focused and lifestyle groups. Her commitment to giving never wavered, and her legacy lives on through the countless organizations and causes she uplifted throughout her life and continued to support until her passing.

Rose was an angel on earth—kind, resilient, and endlessly generous—and now she watches over us as an angel overseeing us all!