With deep sadness, we announce the January 10, 2024 passing of our beloved mother, Jean. She was the devoted, loving and caring spouse of JH Rocky Forest (deceased), the loving mother of 7 children: Ric, Leanne, Dan, Michelle, Karen, Rosalyn, and Tom. Grandmother of 11: Nicole, Michael, Brad, Kim, Damian, Kira, Dominique, Elise, Adrianna, Megan and Elodie. Great Grandmother of 17: Gabriella, Isabel, Keira, James, Adelaide, Liam, Darcie, Blair, Rebecca, Samantha, Ryan, Payton, Warner, Morgan, Kayla, Daisy and Josephine.
Jean was a deeply spiritual woman of God and a very gentle, wise soul. She was also a respected public figure, an astute member of boards, business partner, federal senator and staunch advocate for all human rights, particularly those of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Victoria, BC on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 12:00 pm.
Condolences and shared memories may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Mary Clancy
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Len and Linda Bonifacio Our sympathies to the entire Forest family for the loss of an amazing lady.
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Shelley (Massel) Blackburn Sending my sympathy to all the Forest Family…what a treasure your dear mom was. Accomplished in so very many ways…she left this world a better place. May your memories comfort you.
Shelley (Massel) Blackburn
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Lise Forest My heart felt sympathies for your loss cousins.
After such a rich and full life, may Jean rest in eternal peace!
The last time I saw Jean and Rocky was in August 2010 at the Forest reunion, in Victoria, what a gracious host as she welcomed us into her home.Union in prayer from our family to yours ❤
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Moira King Dear Ric, Leanne, Dan, Michelle, Karen, Rosalyn, Tom
Wishing you peace, comfort, prayers and condolences on your Mother’s passing. Our sympathies are also extended to other family members. Jean was amazing and possessed such generosity of heart. She was a woman of deep faith, great compassion and grace, was a catalyst for change and led a life of excellence. She was extremely inspirational and indeed, like her beloved Rocky, benefitted so many lives. We honour, thank and celebrate Jean and her remarkable legacy.
“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.” — Blessed Mother Teresa
Moira, Norine and Christine (King) and Kelly (Medd) – daughters of John and Winnie King (our parents and brother Dennis are deceased)
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Gweyn Edwards Leanne,my dear friend,
My condolences to you and your family. Sending you lots of love and hugs Gweyn Edwards
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Albert Mondor To the Forest family, my sincere condolences on the passing of Jean. I will always remember her because of the kindness she showed to my family on the passing of my Mom (at age 40 leaving 6 children) in 1965 when she brought dinner to our home. I also remember her and Rocky as generous tippers when I delivered newspapers to their house in Ottwell.
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Jeanette & Cameron Connelly It was an honour to have known your Mom, Jean. She was a wonderful woman and had an incredible life. Our condolences to the family. The Connelly’s, Jeanette and Cameron
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Denise Rivest Dear Leanne,
So very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My deepest sympathy to you and your entire family.
Your mother was a beautiful person inside and out, a remarkable lady. Hugs and prayers go out to
all of you. Love – Denise Rivest, Edmonton
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Gail Pohl Sorry to hear of Jean’s passing but what a wonderful, full life she led! She left the world a better place!
It was an honour to have known her and have her as a neighbour on Sea View!
Our condolences to the family.
Gail and Ken Pohl
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Josephine Pallard As an immigrant from the Philippines, Jean has always been my role model for her great Humanitarian accomplishments especially in the area of empowering women. We will miss a Strong Leader but her Legacy will remain forever.
To the Family, please, accept my most sincere condolences for your great loss.
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roberto gentile TO Karen & Family,
I am Rosa Bilotta’s cousin Roberto, met you once at St Elizabeth, you were the ‘K’ Teacher. I knew your mother when she was Senator, she dealt with our travel agency for regular trips to Ottawa many years ago. Condolences to you and your siblings, your mother was an astounding Humanitarian. May the good Lord guide you through this painful journey, forever rest in peace Jean.
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Mary Noreen Farrell-Hyland Dear Rosalyn, Karen,Tom, Michelle, Dan, Ric,Leanne,
I have such fond memories of both your mom and dad. I can still hear their voices, and it always makes me smile. Your mom was so committed to making this world a better place. I wish you all peace.
Mary Noreen Farrell-Hyland, Calgary
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Jody Farrell Dear Karen and Rosalyn and family,
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your Mom.
Awhile before my mom passed away she tearfully reminisced about Bus and her getting together with Rocky and Jean one night and how much they’d enjoyed it. I think it was rare for that foursome to find time together – seems it may have been the night of our grade 9 Karen, that they’d snuck out- “I miss those times,” she said. I can picture them having a fun night off. Sending you all love, and the comfort of knowing how blessed we’ve all been on this walk…
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Joe Warshawski Hi Michelle. It’s been a few years since I last saw you in Victoria. A hug to you and congratulations to your mom for a life well lived and loved. My momma Pearl died just before New Years at the same age as Jean so we grieve and celebrate together
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Jan Archbold Jean left a great legacy in so many ways, and all will continue to enrich many lives for years to come. Our thoughts are with her family and all those Jean loved. Jan Archbold and Rick Brant
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Harold and Charmaine Neth Jean touched many people through her various leadership roles. Our deepest condolences to the family.
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Rex Boake Tom and family
Condolances from Betty and Rex Boake
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Brian G Smith We live our lives through our relationships with others.
None touched our family deeper than those of Jean and Rocky in Edmonton.
Sharing our faith at Assumption Catholic parish, Rocky was my godfather and helped our family build our home in Bonnie Doon.
My mom and Jean were involved with the Catholic Women’s League and the Marion Centre in Edmonton.
Jean, always that caring soul, touched thousands of lives through her wisdom and engagement in educational and human dignity pursuits.
We are all in a better place having had our lives touched by her wisdom and guidance.
May the family she has loved so dearly find peace and comfort knowing hers was a life well-lived and will be missed by many.♥️ The George T. Smith Family from Edmonton, AB.
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Pat O’Connor Deepest condolences on the death of your dear mom..she served generously in so many capacities in Edmonton …may she be at peace with her loving Lord and May peace be in the hearts of all the family …
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Joan lough(McDaniel) A very gentle, beautiful soul.Grateful to have met her.
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Mic Farrell Dear Dan and Michelle:
Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a wonderful woman and had an incredible life. My thoughts go out to you.
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Susan and Graham Taylor Our heartfelt condolences to all of Jean’s beautiful large loving family. As friends of your family, we remember her with tremendous fondness, a consummate matriarch, gentle and loving mom, gran and great gran to her large brood of offspring. Much love to you all as you grieve her passing. Rest in Peace Jean.
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Marcia DeVicque Holding you all in my heart. She was an amazing lady. I am thankful that she touched my life. Gentle blessings and much love.♥️
Dear Forrest Family,
Jean was a valued caucus colleague and simply a great dame.
We met her first day in caucus and bonded.
My deepest sympathy on your great loss but oh my, what a marvelous productive life.
Mary Clancy
(MP Halifax 1988-1997)