January 4, 2008 - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Mary Elizabeth Forbes, of New Glasgow, at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital. Mary experienced a sudden brain hemorrhage on New Years Eve, from which she did not recover. Her injuries were such that she did not suffer. Mary died peacefully surrounded by her children, as she would have wanted. They lovingly told her of the wonderful memories she gave all of them, she then took her final breath and passed into God’s arms. Mary will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and loyal friend. Anyone who knew Mary understood that her pride and joy were her five children and 10 grandchildren; she always had recent pictures on hand and stories to tell. Mary’s favorite companion was her dog, Murray. Mary grew up in Trenton. She started her family in Halifax and lived in various locations across the Province, ultimately settling in Pictou County. While Mary’s main focus was her children, she was career minded and spent many years working for the Bank of Nova Scotia. When her children were grown she showed her entrepreneurial spirit as the owner and operator of the Amos and Andes store in downtown New Glasgow. Mary was always there to help out a friend and taught her children through her actions of selflessness and kindness how to be good friends themselves and great parents. Mary enjoyed many lifelong friendships and was blessed with close friends in New Glasgow. She had a love of the arts and an artistic flare. Mary was able to do any kind of crafty or creative work she put her hand to including sewing, ceramics, tole painting and water colours. Many of her friends and family received beautiful gifts of her handy work over the years. Throughout her life, Mary was active and outgoing. She was an avid skier, enjoying both down hill and cross country and she was a ski patroller for many years. She loved skating at the Trenton Arena. Most recently Mary took up the practice of healing touch and the art of Tai Chi. Mary is a member of the Red Hatter Society which she very much enjoyed and volunteered for the Children’s Wish Makers. Mary loved to travel and in 2005 she visited France, UK and Italy with her daughter Donna. In April 2007 she celebrated her 66th birthday in Florida with her daughters and sister. Being retired she relished her ability to travel and visit with her children and grandchildren in Texas, Newfoundland, and Halifax. Mary cherished all of her grandchildren feeling fortunate to have five of them living in New Glasgow. Mary is survived by her mother, Irene (Elino) Meikle; daughters, Donna Forbes, Halifax; Susan (Alan) Corey, Texas; Janice (Shawn) Pye, Newfoundland; sons, Stephen (Donna) Forbes, David (Krista) Forbes, New Glasgow; grandchildren, Jeffrey Forbes, Sydney Forbes, Logan and Kasey Corey, Taylor and Evan Pye, Trystan, Allie, Kristina and Madison Forbes; sisters, Vivian(Alex) Sutherland, Marilyn (Warner) Wentzel and Linda (Paul) Ingraham; brother, Joe (Heather) Meikle; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Elino Meikle; sister, Lillian; brothers, Fred and Elino “Smo”; and close friend, Louise (Jardine) Paquette. A memorial service will be held 1:30 pm Monday, January 7th in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. The family also invites you to join them at a reception to celebrate Mary’s life directly following the service at Trinity United Church Hall, New Glasgow. Family flowers only. Donations may be made in her memory to the IWK Health Centre Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society.