Kelly Forth

Kelly C. Forth was a generous and fun-loving woman with an unforgettable sense of humor that endeared all that knew her. She was vibrant and caring and remained deeply committed to her family and her husband throughout her life. With education a top priority in her life, Kelly went on to become a dedicated teacher who impacted thousands of young lives during her twenty years of teaching.

Kelly was born during a period of great change in our nation’s history. The 1960s marked a shift from the idyllic innocence of the previous decade into a slow burn of social unrest. Protest movements were at the forefront of discussion as more and more U.S. troops headed for Vietnam. Despite the looming problems within the American society, people still needed to have fun. It was the golden age of drive-in movies and the Beatles owned the top of the charts.

Kelly entered these changing times on February 26, 1962, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was the second of three girls born to Thomas and Judy (Borden) Coe. Because her father was in sales, the family moved quite often living in places such as Dubuque, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois and Saginaw, Michigan, before returning to the Grand Rapids area when Kelly was sixteen. Growing up, Kelly was an athletic and creative child. She found no trouble making friends or excelling at sports. She competed in AAU swimming, which meant 5:00 a.m. practices, and played softball. At fifteen, Kelly had the self-appointed responsibility of caring for her four year old little sister Kerry since her mom worked. While most girls were out doing typical teenager things, Kelly treasured her family and was happy to help along.

From a young age, Kelly knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life, and she never faltered in her quest to achieve the goal of being a teacher. After graduating high school, Kelly took classes at Western Michigan University, earning a BA in Physical Education in 1985 and a MA in Educational Leadership in 1987. She then started her career as a Physical Education instructor within the Kalamazoo Public Schools. After a couple of years, she pursued getting her teaching certificate and became an elementary teacher. For 14 of her 20-year teaching career, Kelly taught 6th graders at Westwood, Greenwood and Milwood schools. She not only taught her students with her words, but through the example she set of a good person. They say that the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it and Kelly knew this well. She sprinkled all situations with her wonderful sense of humor. Because of her unique teaching methods, it was said that “former students remember Kelly as the teacher who spoke openly to them, made them feel important and really cared about their futures.”

While in her junior year at high school, Kelly met her future husband, Chris Forth, in her 5th hour English class. Although their relationship took some time to develop, by their senior year and all through WMU, they knew they were meant for each other. To this day, Kelly still has the petals from the first rose Chris sent her. On September 27, 1984, the Mayor married Chris and Kelly in a civil service at Ludington City Hall. The following spring on May 25, 1985, they once again said, “I do” in a church wedding at St. Thomas Apostolic Catholic Church. Chris and Kelly would have two daughters. Emily and Stephanie brought great joy and happiness to their household and they enjoyed their time together as a family. Many memorable family vacations were spent at their cottage in Tamarac Village in Ludington and on Leelanau Peninsula. These two spots were Kelly’s favorite because she was able to enjoy the sand, sun and water, which she loved so much.

Besides being a devoted wife, mother and teacher, Kelly was also actively involved in her community. She volunteered with the Milwood Little League, South Portage Little League, the M.E.A., K.E.A. and N.E.A., as well as the Portage AYSO and Girl Scouts.

On her own time, Kelly enjoyed listening to music of the 60s, 70s and 80s. She was also an avid reader of non-fiction and biography books and especially enjoyed some mother-daughter time at the movies with her girls. A big fan of ER, Kelly faithfully watched this program every Thursday at 10:00 p.m. and no one dared to disturb her.

Kelly was part of many important relationships throughout her life: to her husband, to her daughters, to her friends and to the many students she taught. She filled those relationships with warmth and love, and to countless many, she will be greatly missed.

My wife, my best friend and our mother, Kelly C. Forth, died peacefully on Saturday, May 1, 2004, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Her father, Thomas Coe, and her step-father, Gene Missad, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Chris Forth; her 2 daughters: Emily and Stephanie Forth; her mother, Judy Missad of Ludington, 2 sisters: Kathleen (Andrew) Paul of Brooklyn, NY and Kerry (Rich) DeGraaf of Coopersville, MI; her husband’s parents, Roger (Lorraine) Forth of Grand Rapids; and many friends.

To share in Kelly’s life story and view her life story film, friends may visit with her family on Tuesday, May 4, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, Stadium Drive, West of US-131, 375-2900. The essence of Kelly’s life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, May 6, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Kevin Covert, celebrant. Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared in the church hall. To read Kelly’s complete life story, archive a favorite memory of her or make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers to her children’s college funds [Emily and Stephanie College Fund c/o 5/3 Bank], please visit her personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.

When you lose a loved one, memories of your times together become treasures of the heart.