Barbara Lorraine McCall Forbes

Barbara Lorraine McCall Forbes was born March 9, 1923 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Walter McCall and Wilma McDonald McCall. 

She graduated from Las Vegas High School, and in 1942 married the love of her life, Ralph Forbes, also of Las Vegas. They had three children:  Joyce Ann, Ralph Jr., and Donna Jean.  Barbara worked during World War II at the Las Vegas Gunnery School, which later became Nellis Air force Base.  

She was a member of Griffith Methodist Church, Las Vegas, where she taught 3rd grade Sunday school for 7 years.  She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, UT, and Hope United Methodist Church, Rancho Bernardo, CA, and was active in Circle at both congregations.  Barbara was an accomplished pianist and seamstress.  Cooking was her passion.  She loved to ballroom dance, and entered and won many USO dance contests during WWII.  She never missed an episode of "Dancing With the Stars"!  She and dad traveled to Europe for their 50th Wedding Anniversary and experienced the thrill of flying  back to the USA on The Concorde.   Barbara enjoyed her many trips with Donna to Vegas and La Jolla.  

She was preceded in death by her daughter Joyce Ann; mother; father; brother Walter A. McCall; son, Ralph Jr.; and husband Ralph Sr.  She is survived by her daughter Donna Jean.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the endowed Forbes Family Memorial Scholarship, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.

My mother and I had an amazing bond that was forged by the weight of our shared grief and the joy of the times we spent together during the 19 years after dad and Ralph, Jr. died.   She remained here on this earth far longer than she really wanted to in order to be here for me.  One of the last things she said to me was, "I don't want to leave you.  It's not fair." Every night at the end of our nightly phone call we would tell each other to "have a good sleep" and "I love you."  Those 19 years that we had together were truly a gift.  I have wonderful memories to carry with me, and although recalling them is bittersweet, my gratitude is beyond measure.   

A viewing and visitation will be held Monday, May 15, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. She will be laid to rest in her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Palm Cemetery, 1325 North Main Street, Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Barbara's wise counsel:  "Enjoy life.  Be good to yourself."  

My dear mother, my friend – God speed.