Lucy Forbes

Lucy Haroutunian Forbes (Լուսի Յարութիւնեան) left this earth too soon on August 25, 2024 at the age of 53 after a valiant battle with cancer. The cancer could not touch her heart, which held her love for her daughter Laura and us all. Born Loucine Haroutunian on July 27, 1971 to parents Vahan and Satenig (née Kalajian), Lucy entered the world with purpose. Her given name, Loucine, means “moon” in Armenian. She shared this name with her paternal grandmother and a cousin.

When Lucy turned four years old, she immigrated with her parents and brother Sebouh (Seb) to the United States. Though they spoke four languages—Armenian, Arabic, Turkish, and Kurdish—fluently, Lucy’s parents did not speak English at the native level. Because of this, fittingly, Lucy began honing her advocacy skills long before she knew the word for such actions.

Growing up in the shadow of her parents’ experiences as the first generation following the Armenian genocide—which went unaddressed by any equivalent to the Nuremberg trials—led Lucy to become a fervent protector of constitutional rights and freedoms.

Lucy became the first person in her immediate family to graduate from high school (Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas), and the first person in her immediate and extended family to graduate from a university. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston in 1993, and a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law in 1998, Lucy began her practice of law as a trial associate in the prestigious firm Baker Botts, LP. Upon finding her love for civil appellate law, she worked as a staff attorney at the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas and then practiced appellate law at Wright Brown & Close, LLP (now Wright Close & Barger, LLP). In 2009, she formed her own practice: the Forbes Firm, PLLC. Also in 2009, Lucy became board certified in appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She drafted petitions and briefs and presented oral arguments to appellate courts including the Texas Supreme Court, the First, Fourth, Sixth, Ninth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Lucy served her profession through numerous bar organizations. The board of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists chose her to serve as its President for the 2021-2022 bar year. Beginning in 2015, Lucy held several committee chair positions in the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas as well as the Appellate Section Council of the Houston Bar Association. Lucy was especially proud of her election by Harris County lawyers to the Place 4, District 4 position on the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas, where she made many significant contributions in service of attorneys and the public from 2020 to 2023. Among her colleagues on the State Bar board, Lucy was known for always being the most thoroughly prepared director on every issue under discussion.

Throughout her career, Lucy earned many accolades. In 2024, the Houston Bar Association’s Appellate Section Council debuted the Lucy Forbes Excellence in Legal Writing Scholarship. In 2023, Lucy received a Presidential Citation from the President of the State Bar of Texas. For over a decade, Texas Monthly Magazine recognized her as a Texas Super Lawyer for civil appeals. Houstonia Magazine listed her as a top appellate lawyer. A supporter of continuing legal education, Lucy maintained membership in the Texas Bar College, wrote many scholarly legal articles, and gave several presentations to colleagues.

She worked not for personal glory or financial wealth (although her brilliant mind and determined work ethic would have allowed her to obtain both had this been her goal) but to advocate for her clients in a way that permitted her to spend as much time with Laura as possible. Her role as Laura’s mother reigned above all else.

Lucy found joy in the simplicity of things like watching a movie with a loved one, working on an embroidery project, a short (or long) conversation with a friend or colleague, and the morning breeze on her face during a run outdoors. Her hobbies included cooking, running, Vinyasa yoga, and her type-A personality. When seeing any baby at any time, the rest of the world melted away from her as she cooed softly in Armenian. Dedicated to sharing her passion for wellness, she taught yoga for seven years at the Houstonian Lite and several other studios. She began running in 1998 while in law school as a way to combat stress. She completed fourteen marathons, including those in Houston, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Washington D.C., and Chicago. After Laura was born, Laura rode in a stroller as Lucy ran. Lucy made her best marathon time at home in the Houston marathon, finishing it at 3:52:20.

Lucy knew who she was, what her values were, and how she wanted to live. Because of these resolute qualities, most people do not associate her with any contradictions. Nevertheless, two significant areas of contradiction existed in her life. First, her petite frame housed a towering passion for living. Second, her type-A personality compelled her to plan nearly all details of her life meticulously. But there was one area where Lucy was reckless: she loved recklessly, with abandon, and without reservation.

In Lucy’s own words:

From the board room, to the courtroom, to the hospital room, or any room really, we can only control one aspect of the situation: ourselves and our attitude. No matter where you find yourself on this journey, you have by now encountered obstacles and pains. Pains can be mental or physical—it is the same. Control what you can, acknowledge what you cannot control, and make the best of the experience.

Lucy is survived by her daughter, Laura Forbes, whom she loved intensely, her brother Sebouh Haroutunian (Jennifer) of Houston, friend Chad Forbes, and many beloved extended family members, friends, and colleagues. Lucy brought honor to her family, profession, and community. When you find yourself missing Lucy, honor her memory and become near her again: seek joy in something simple. Hug a child. Stand up for what you believe in. Speak for those without a voice. Love recklessly.

May Lucy’s memory serve as moonlight to guide us all.

A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024 at St. Kevork Armenian Church, 3211 Synott Rd., Houston. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd. Houston. After the graveside service, a reception will take place at St. Kevork Armenian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Laura’s college fund at gofundme.com/lucyandlauraforbes or to St. Kevork Armenian Church, at https://store.stkevork.org/.