Catherine E. Forbes

On Thursday, February 2, 2012, CATHERINE ELIZABETH FORBES quietly slipped away at The Gilchrist Hospice Center after a lengthy illness. Catherine was born on August 9, 1938 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Lucillia Elizabeth Collins and William Clarence Reid. She was educated in the Baltimore City School System and received an Associate of Arts Degree from the Baltimore City Community College. From birth to her late teens, “Cats or Cafreen,” as she was affectionately known, lived at 831 W. Lexington Street. She always spoke very fondly of living there with her mother, beloved grandmother, Helen Queen Victoria Sye, uncles, aunts, and cousins, When her mother married Gladney Clayborne, whom she adored, he moved the family to the cherry Community. She remained in that community for over forty years. In 1957, Catherine married Charles Forbes, Sr and from this union came “The Five Loves of her Life” She and the children enjoyed many cookouts, dinners,holiday festivities and parties, with neighbors and her large extended family. One daughter, Delita Forbes, preceded her in death in 2003. In 1972, she went to work for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services as Human Services Associate, helping to care for the elderly and disabled citizens of Baltimore. In 1985, she became a Medical Assistance Clerk for the Maryland State Department of Human Resources, working with S.S.I. Clients at South Baltimore General Hospital (Harbor Hospital). Catherine received many awards for her outstanding service. After retiring in 1990, she moved to the Monument East Senior Apartments, where she remained until she became too ill to care care for herself. She then moved in with her daughter, Karnia Jenkins, who along with her son-in-law, Dennis and granddaughter, Ciara, loving and patiently cared for her until three weeks prior to her death. In addition to Karnia, Catherine leaves to mourn: daughters, Charlene and Vida Forbes; son, Charles Forbes, Jr.; nine grandchildren, Nikia, Merlin, Chikia , Ciara, Donta, Tyra, Charles III, Shamika and Zinnaeah (one grandson, Terrell Forbes, predeceased her); five great-grandchildren, Diamond and Isis Green, Natar McDowell , Karon Ridgley and LaKyiah Forbes; one great great-grandson , Mirage Forbes; uncles, Jerome Collins (Jessie) and Gordon Collins (Carolyn); loving cousin, Pauline Clinton and nineteen other cousins; her dear friend, Lelia Davis (“Snookie”); and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Catherine E. Forbes

August 9, 1938 - February 2, 2012