Our beloved mother Marion Hadloe Forfa (nee Vreeland) reunited with our beloved father George Peter Forfa and their infant daughter on Friday April 8, 2022.
Mom was born on the family farm in East Lee, Massachusetts on October 10, 1929 to Wilmer and Charlotte Emery Vreeland. She spoke fondly of her days on the farm, and was very proud that the farm fed many friends and neighbors during the Great Depression. She was not a fan of farm animals, but enjoyed laughing her way through household chores with her sisters.
Upon completion of her education in East Lee schools, Mom worked as a babysitter. Eventually, she became a laboratory technician at Hurlbut Paper Company in South Lee. She excelled at a detailed job which would require a higher degree in this day and age.
Mom and Dad were married on July 19, 1952 at All Saints Church in Housatonic. Their wedding reception was hosted by Dad’s parents, Walter and Helen Kopacz Forfa, in the family home on Main Street. Once married, Mom left her job at Hurlbut Paper to start a family. Her most treasured role was being our mother.
Our parents built a life based on love, trust, respect, and humor, which helped them navigate many challenges and obstacles successfully. Mom rejoined the workforce after Dad’s passing and enjoyed success at the old Sears Roebuck Catalogue Store in Great Barrington. Her greatest joy and success came as an assistant librarian at Ramsdell Public Library. She retired not once, but twice, from a job that gave everyone the chance to appreciate her zest for life and love of books.
Mom leaves six grateful children: George Forfa of Johnsonville, South Carolina; Joseph (Mary) Forfa of West Sand Lake, New York; Arlene (Carl) Van Deusen of Sheffield, with whom she made her home for almost 17 years; Loretta Malin of Cortland, New York, who assisted in providing such loving care to her right up to her passing; Charlotte (Bradley) Wilson of Housatonic; and Helen (Daniel) Arnold of Chandler, Arizona.
Mom leaves her beloved grandchildren: Brenda (Dan) Austin, Aimee Malin, Jeremy Walter, Keith (Emily) Wilson, Matthew (Amber) Wilson, Kyle (Kendra Knisley) Wilson, Chad Wilson, Adam (Hailey Andersen) Wilson, Michaela (John Onwuasoanya) Forfa, Aaron Forfa, George Slate, Walter Applebee, and Ronald France. She also leaves nine great-grandchildren: Anja Austin, Kyra Meyer, Hailey Nowicki, Erica, Matthew Jr. and Brayden Wilson, Wyatt Slate, and Kevin and Oliver Wilson.
Mom is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Kathleen (Edward) Kopec and sister-in-law Frances Forfa, along with several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by siblings and in-laws Charlotte, Harold, Isabelle, and Kenneth (Carol) Vreeland, Doris (Henri) Jean, Joseph, Edward (Dorothy), Chester (Eleanor), Anthony (Nadine), and Francis Forfa.
Donations in Mom’s memory can be made to the Ramsdell Public Library Children’s Reading Program or HospiceCare in the Berkshires. Mom loved nothing more than conducting story time at the library. The family is so thankful for the loving care she received from her nurse Andrea and the team at hospice.
There will be a private burial at the discretion of the family, at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Housatonic, with arrangements by Birches-Roy Funeral Home. A celebration of Mom’s life is planned for June 5, 2022 from 2–5 p.m. at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington. Please RSVP to helen_arnold704@yahoo.com if you plan to attend. Condolences may be made through the Birches-Roy website.
