Violet P. Forbes

1923 - 2020

Violet P. Forbes
May 25, 1923 - December 18, 2020
San Diego




Violet Pearl Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois to Harry and Elsie (Carlson) Walker. She was later joined by a brother, Harold. Vi went to school in Chicago where she graduated from Carl Schurz High School in January 1942. Vi became a telephone operator, a job that was to take her to Washington, D.C. and then to Bremerton, Washington. She met Edward Forbes (Big Ed), a gunner's mate in the Navy in Bremerton, where they married in 1948. She moved with Ed to all of his duty stations and had three children, one on each coast. The frequent moves were hard work, but Vi always looked forward to adventures in new places.

Settling in California, after Ed's retirement from the Navy, Vi continued her career as a telephone operator/communications specialist at Naval Training Center and SPAWAR. Vi was able to fulfill the dream of graduating from college with an AA in English. She continued on in adult school, learning many crafts, including crochet, knitting, Japanese brush painting, tole and decorative painting. She joined a mystery reading class that became her beloved book club. Often accompanied by her grandchildren, Vi made many cross-country trips, seeing the USA, Canada and Mexico. Vi took up cruising at age 87 and finally got to her last state, Alaska. She went on numerous other cruises visiting the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

Vi entered senior living after sustaining a back injury. The COVID lockdowns caused depression, isolation and loneliness, contributing to her death. A graveside service was held December 28. She has been reunited with Big Ed.

Ed, Violet's parents and brother, Harold, preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children, Colleen (Bill), Ed, Jr. (Margie), Jill (Ray), five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Terry, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is planned for later in the year.