Irene Mae Forbes

1926 - 2018

Irene Mae (Claybaugh) Forbes

Nov. 9, 1926 - Oct. 29, 2018

HILLSBORO, MI - Irene Mae (Claybaugh) Forbes, 91, of the Hillsboro community, passed away Monday, October 29, 2018 at a care facility in the morning.

Irene was born on November 9, 1926 in Argos, IN. She was one of two children born to Hayward and Erma (Coplen) Claybaugh. Irene attended Argos High School and graduated with the Class of 1944.

Irene moved to South Bend after graduation from high school to support the war effort. Irene started out working in the office at Bendix. She met her husband John in 1948 once John was back from the war. A girlfriend was married to John's brother and set them up. They courted for a year before getting married on September 4, 1949 in Argos, IN. Their daughter Beth was born in South Bend in 1952.

Irene and John eventually took over Forbes Typewriter Company, founded by Marion Forbes in the 1920's. She kept the books for the company before they retired in the 1970's. In 2004, John passed away and in 2009 Irene moved out to Oregon to be closer to family.

Irene enjoyed gardening and yard work. She was an early member of the Southhold Historical Preservation Group, an organization that preserved historical houses and buildings in South Bend, most notably the Studebaker Mansion on W. Washington St. In addition to historical preservation activities, Irene liked antiques and was a member of The Questers, an antique study group. She liked to play bridge and poker with friends.

Irene made a “killer banana crème pie”, but when it came to cooking, John and Irene's favorite past time was going out to eat. Irene was a lifetime member of the Zion United Church of Christ. She enjoyed being a grandma and was still able to connect despite the distance. One memorable gift that she sent was a recording of her reading Paddington on a cassette tape for her grandson.

Irene is preceded in death by her loving husband, John Forbes and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter, Beth Brandon of Cornelius, OR; her brother, Harold Claybaugh of Peru, IN; her grandson, Eric Brandon; and nieces and nephews, Sherri, Jennifer, Valerie, Linda, and Paula.

Services provided by Duyck & VanDeHey Funeral Home, 503-357-8749.

Online guestbook at www.dvfuneralhome.com.