Obituary Notice – Alona M. Forbes

DUNKIRK:  Alona M. Forbes, 86, of Dunkirk, passed away Sunday, November 29th, 2020 after an extended illness, at UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA.  She was born in Detroit, MI on June 21, 1934, the daughter of the late Alton and Thela (Jakubowski) Nowak.

  Alona was a Dunkirk area resident for most of her life.  She lived a long and productive life as a daughter, sister, wife, teacher, administrator, mentor, nurse, cook, provider, confidant, friend and above all else, as a mother.  She would always listen to your opinion, and wasn’t afraid to give hers.

  Alona graduated from Dunkirk High School, Class of 1952, and eagerly looked forward to planning and attending her class reunions every five years.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bowling Green State University.  As a college student, she spent time in Valencia, Spain and Peurto Rico, furthering her love of the Spanish Language.  While raising her family, she earned her Master’s Degree in School Administration and a School District Administrator Certificate from SUNY Fredonia.  Alona eventually pursued additional studies working toward her doctorate at the University of Buffalo.  She was a life-long learner who encouraged her children and grandchildren to do so as well.  One of her annual anticipated “events” was the taking of the 5th Grade Geography bee test at Christmas with her family, and she loved the fact that she often had the most correct answers.

  Her career in education spanned several decades, beginning with her first teaching assignment at School 7 in Dunkirk.  Her teaching career continued with stops in Orchard Park, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School and Cardinal Mindszenty High School, in Dunkirk, a second stint with Dunkirk City Schools, where she was instrumental in the implementation of the Title VII program, as well as other substitute teaching roles in the various districts.  Alona transitioned from the classroom to educational administration when she accepted the position of Elementary Principal at Gowanda Central School and later moved on to Elementary Principle at School 3 for Dunkirk City Schools, retiring in 1997.

  After the death of her husband, Dr. John R. Forbes, in 1998, Alona embarked on a new chapter in her life.  This included numerous trips to visit her out of town children, multiple trips to Kiawah Island, SC, enjoying “Becoming an Outdoor Women” programs, and taking up playing the French Horn again.  She claimed that she was one of the oldest women to march with a band in a parade!

  Alona had been very active in the community over the years.  At the time of her passing, she was still serving on the Board of Directors for Camp Gross.  She was a member of the Brooks Hospital Auxiliary and served a term as president in the 70’s and again in the 90’s!  She served on the board of Dunkirk Free Library from 2004 to 2015.  Alona was a member of the New Horizons Band at SUNY Fredonia, Cassadaga Valley Band, has been a member of the WNY Alumni Marching Band and the former Chadwick Bay Buccaneers.

  She also supported various community organizations such as Brooks Memorial Hospital, Camp Gross, Dunkirk Free Library, WNY Alumni Marching Band, Chadwick Bay Buccaneers, the former Chautauqua County Home and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.  Alona was also a parishioner and benefactor of Blessed Mary Angela Parish-Church of St. Hyacinth.  She was humbled to have been chosen as the subject in an Evening Observer article for Mother’s Day, in 1992, entitled “Family Means All to Alona Forbes”.  She was also very proud to have been awarded the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation Footprints award in 2018.

  One of Alona’s proudest accomplishments, in her later years, was the memorial brick project at Camp Gross in Cassadaga.  She started off with a modest “goal” of 50 bricks, and eagerly awaited each donation.  She was very happy when she reached her initial goal of 50 bricks, and would readily tell anyone who might be interested, that she was now over 300 bricks!

  Alona had many favorite activities including watching the bad Bills teams loose, the Yankees win, and doing crossword puzzles.  She liked watching Jeopardy.  Alona eagerly played lotto scratch off tickets, and there wasn’t a raffle ticket she wouldn’t buy, and more often than not, a prize that wouldn’t be won.  She loved her collection of refrigerator magnets that were from places she or her children traveled.

  Alona had a disdain for peanut butter and didn’t like cheesy Italian dishes, but loved eggplant, traditional homemade chicken soup (don’t forget the kluski noodles), beets, cucumbers/cream and popcorn.  More recently, Alona was introduced to chicken fingers, a concept she did not understand (chickens have legs and wings, not fingers!)  During her illness, she clearly developed a sweet tooth, which she readily denied.  Turtles and licorice (had to be black) were her favorites!

  Survivors include three daughters, Eve (David) Vespoli, Mary (James) Forbes Nalepa, Hope Forbes Soch, three sons Mark Forbes, John (Lisa) Forbes, Lukas (Elizabeth) Forbes and a brother, Ret. Lt. Col. Peter Nowak.  Also surviving are eleven grandchildren- Camden (Mark) Messier, Brooke Vespoli, Jack Forbes, Mackenzie Nalepa, Faith Nalepa, Cassandra Nalepa, Alex Nalepa, Hamilton Soch, Peyton Soch, Grace Forbes, Patrick Forbes and many cousins, nieces & nephews.  Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Dr. John R Forbes, whom she married in February 1962 at St. Hyacinth’s Church, Dunkirk, aunts, uncles and three nephews.

  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Private Mass of Christina Burial will be held the convenience of family and interment will be in St. Hyacinth Cemetery, Dunkirk.  It is the anticipation and desire of the children to have a Public Celebration of Life in the summer of 2021.

  The family respectfully declines flowers.  In Alona’s memory, donations or inquiries to purchase a brick can be made by contacting Camp Gross, PO Box 62, Cassadaga, NY 14718 or Camp Gross, 70 Leming St., Dunkirk, NY 14048 or at www.campgross.org.

  Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville.  To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.