A Tribute to my Mother (1923 - 2013)

I don't want to submerge you in my grief at losing my Mother last week, but she was a very special lady that touched many lives and leaves a void in mine. I was very proud yesterday when our hometown newspaper, The Santa Barbara News Press, published a feature article celebrating her life. Her death was featured on A-6 as News, instead stuck with the obituaries in the back. I could go on and on about why she deserved every tribute possible, and will at the funeral, but I think her life and accomplishments speak for themselves. Without further ado:

LOCAL WRITER, CIVIC LEADER DIES AT 89
By
Scott Kaufman, News Press Correspondent

Gloria Forsyth
COURTESY PHOTO

January 12, 2013 12:09 AM

Family and friends were saddened by the death of Gloria Brooks Forsyth, onetime society writer for the Santa Barbara News-Press and a local civic leader.

Mrs. Forsyth, 89, died peacefully from natural causes at Palomar Hospital in Escondido, said her son, David Forsyth, in a statement.

A Santa Barbara native, Mrs. Forsyth attended Stanford University during World War II, where she received a bachelor's degree in journalism and was the first female editor of Stanford's student newspaper, the Stanford Daily, Mr. Forsyth said.

At Stanford, Mrs. Forsyth met her husband, James A. Forsyth, and the couple returned to Santa Barbara after marrying in 1945, Mr. Forsyth said.

Upon her return, Mrs. Forsyth worked at the News-Press for several years as a society writer before publishing a children's novel in 1956 titled "Pelican Prill."

She and her husband then created and published a magazine, "This Week in Santa Barbara," into the early 1970s, Mr. Forsyth said.

Widowed in 1975, Mrs. Forsyth devoted the rest of her life to her two children, David Forsyth and Frances Baker, and philanthropy.

For Mrs. Forsyth, public spirit dates back to her father, Ralph Brooks, who founded the Valley Club of Montecito.

Mrs. Forsyth held numerous leadership positions in the Junior League, served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and the Lobero Theatre, was president of the Santa Barbara Garden Club and vice president of the Montecito Trail Riding Association.

She also was involved with the Santa Barbara United Way, the Crane Day School, El Presideo Gift Shop, Santa Barbara YMCA, Family Service Agency, Music Academy of the West, Visiting Nurses Association, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, All Saints Church in Santa Barbara, the Little Town Club and Old Spanish Days, Mr. Forsyth said.

Mrs. Forsyth established a scholarship in her late husband's name at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., where he attended preparatory school, and funded Forsyth Field at Besant Hill School of Happy Valley in Ojai, where she was a trustee and contributed to numerous Santa Barbara institutions.

Mrs. Forsyth moved to Oceanside in the 1990s to be closer to family.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Santa Barbara Cemetery on Channel Drive. The graveside service will be open to the public at 1 p.m. Thursday.

email: skaufman@newspress.com

PS: I was blessed to spend the last few days of her life at her bedside. It was peaceful. On her last day I read her children's novel, "Pelican Prill," out loud to her from start to finish. She left us about an hour after I finished reading the final chapter.

Rest in Peace, Mom. I know Daddy and your sisters and your own parents have been waiting a long time to be reunited - and that you will be waiting for me someday too.