Obituary of Geraldine Forget

 

Geraldine Forget

June 15, 1950 - May 24, 2022

 

Geraldine (“Gerry”) Forget, 71, Cranbrook, British Columbia, passed away on May 24, 2022. She was born to the late Frederick and Ilene Anoquot in Sarnia, Ontario, on June 15, 1950. She graduated from SCITS secondary school in 1968 and during her time there was heavily involved with sports and music, winning several Provincial medals in track and field. She then pursued a career in welding, becoming one of the first women certified in that field in Canada. While at SCITS, she also met her future husband, Richard, marrying in 1971. After living in Sarnia, Petrolia, and St. Thomas, Ontario, she moved with her husband and sons to Calgary, Alberta in 1979 and worked for different welding fabrication shops. She completed further studies at SAIT, graduating from the Welding Engineering Technology program and completed a wide range of welding qualifications. In 1986, Gerry relocated to Cranbrook with her family, moving soon after to an acreage outside of the city, which she would call home for more than three decades. Further highlights from her career included working as a quality control inspector and shop manager in Calgary and teaching welding at the College of the Rockies. Ever interested in learning, she also received her Associate of Arts degree, a business administration diploma, and countless certifications from the College of the Rockies, Lambton College, and Lethbridge Community College. After retiring from welding, Gerry began a second career as an artist, which became her life's passion. She worked in different mediums but was most fond of painting in watercolour and acrylic. She attended countless art workshops and classes, and she became an active member of the arts community in Cranbrook and Kimberley.

 

Although she accomplished much in her life, she seemed most proud of her children and grandchildren and was always happy when sharing stories about them. She was also very proud of her Ojibway First Nation heritage and Métis status. In addition, through much of her life, she was an avid softball player, gardener, outdoor enthusiast, reader of science fiction & fantasy, and pet owner.  

 

Gerry is survived by husband, Richard Forget; sons, Maurice (Rinna) Forget of Helsinki, Finland, and Craig Jamie) Forget of Spring, Texas; and grandchildren Bradon, Jasper, Carson, Selma, and Flynn. She is also survived by her siblings, Terry Anoquot, Marg (Dave) Smith, and Dorothy (Kelly) Parsons.

A private service will be held in Petrolia, Ontario this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made in her name to The Arthritis Society of Canada (https://arthritis.ca/) or the Cranbrook Women’s Centre (http://www.ccscranbrook.ca/). Her ashes will be interred beside her parents in Petrolia.