Mrs. Nancy L. Forthman

Nancy L. Forthman Nancy Alexander Forthman, born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 23, 1928, joined her Lord on November 2, 2008, in Douglasville, Georgia. She is survived by three nieces, three grandnieces, a grandnephew and her beloved daughter. Raised in Indianapolis, she attended Broad Ripple High School, excelling at sports and music. Fond memories included a standing ovation at Crispus Atticus High and participation in a program conducted by Eugene Ormandy at Saratoga Performing Art Center. Nancy married Earle Forthman on April 3, 1949. Their only child, Debra arrived in 1954. They moved to rural Michigan in 1958 where Nancy pursued ‘extreme’ water-skiing, followed by a brief stay in Phoenix, Arizona that preceded their move to Delmar, New York. Earle retired from the reinsurance industry in 1985; his career allowed the couple enjoyable travels in Europe. An avid sports fan, Nancy followed everything but football and in her last days rooted for Tampa in the World Series. Debra acquired her love of nature from her father, but Nancy helped her through the lives and deaths of a long succession of pets. Nancy and Earle encouraged dreams that led Debra to UCLA and a Ph.D. in animal psychology. They ventured to Kenya for Debra’s first wedding, though Nancy found baboon research tedious. After Earle’s death in 1992, she left Avon Park, Florida to join Debra and son-in-law, Shaun Quinlan, in Georgia. Nancy lived her final nine years in an apartment she built on their property. A familiar patron of local restaurants, two young waitresses in her extended family were among her first visitors in hospice. Her ability to out-work most men contributed to a mild stroke at age forty-eight that led to renal failure late in life. Heart disease and emphysema from second-hand smoke ultimately claimed her. The unswerving faith nurtured by her devout mother tempered Nancy’s tough Scots side. Nancy Forthman witnessed for Christ throughout her life, giving of herself to the many whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed by them all. The family will receive friends at Whitley Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home on Saturday, November 15th from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be conducted on Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville. Mrs. Forthman was interred at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Visit www.caringbridge.org for suggestions on memorial gifts.