Frances Forsee

Saturday, January 12, 2013 Frances Hays Forsee passed from this world into an eternal and glorious future with her “Sweet Jesus”. Born April 20, 1926 in Wichita, Texas, she was born again at a tender young age and faithfully served her Lord and Savior till He took her home, after 86 years of a very blessed life, to join those who preceded her—among whom were her dear father and mother, Clyde and Eula Hays; the husband of her youth, Charles W. “Charlie” Forsee; granddaughter Mary Caroline Smith; and four siblings—Virginia, Eldon, Paul, and Clifford.

Beloved of so many, those yet to join her include three children—Tamara (and husband William) Bacon, Lance (and wife Karla) Forsee, Kirsten (and husband Steven) Smith; five grandchildren who adored her as “Babo”—Charles “Charlie” (and his new bride Lindsey) Smith, Elizabeth “Haddie” Smith, Henry Smith, Erik Forsee and Christian Forsee; and four others she loved collectively as the “Bacon Bits” endeared her as “Grannie Frannie”—Emily, Martha, Abigail “Abby”, and Lily Bacon. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews—of whom airline Captain David (and wife Lori) Harmon lived in Yakima for a short time in the 1980’s. They now reside in Arizona along with their three children Zachary, Aaron, and Megan Harmon. Momma, who truly never knew a stranger, has friends far too numerous to count—but they do include a special one she esteemed as her “soul mate”: Connie White, with whom she enjoyed so many of the same interests, activities, joys, and sorrows.

“Francie”—as known by her husband; “Frannie”—as called by most of her friends; “Fran”—which she really hated (and thus was fondly addressed by her son Lance’s friends) was especially proud of her USC Trojan heritage, where she earned a BS in Dental Hygiene in 1948. Married July 28, 1950 in Southern California’s Church of the Lighted Window—and just shy of 50 years when her beloved Charlie passed on March 21st of the new millennium—Frances Hays Forsee became the Founding Director of Yakima Valley Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program after moving to Washington State in the mid-1960s. The program successfully filled a dearth at that time with highly qualified registered dental hygienists to provide those in the area with a hitherto little known, though invaluable, service. It has continued to do so for nearly half a century and two graduates include Mrs. Forsee’s own daughter, Tamara Bacon, and daughter-in-law, Karla Forsee.

Frances’ other hobbies included vintage automobiles, antiques, and tennis—which she enjoyed for many years at the Yakima Tennis Club. However, our dear precious mother really lived for just three things: “People, Love, and Jesus”.

Closed casket visitation will be held at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at West Hills Memorial Park at on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. A memorial service will follow at First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. 8th Ave. Yakima on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.

If desired memorial contributions may be made to the Union Gospel Mission. To celebrate the life of Frances and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.