July 14, 1925 – April 1, 2015

Louise Marie Forbes, our beloved mother, passed away on April 1 at the age of 89. She was a well-known artist in the community, whose best-known works were wildlife painted on wood using the grain to capture their natural surroundings.

Louise was born on July 14, 1925 in Dorchester, Nebraska and grew up in the small town of Niobrara. After graduating from Nebraska University in Lincoln, she worked at Union Pacific Railroad where she met John Forbes.  They were married in Omaha in 1949 and moved to La Crescenta in 1957 where they raised three children, Doug, Meganne and Leslie.

Louise taught at McGroarty Arts Center and participated in art shows in the Los Angeles area and in Tehachapi. Throughout her career she received many awards and donated her talents and paintings to various charities.

After John retired from Union Pacific Railroad, they opened Forbes Art & Frames in Montrose where her artwork was displayed and John did framing.  He passed away in 2004. Louise continued to run the gallery and paint until seven months prior to her passing.

Louise is survived by her children and their families: Doug Forbes and wife Claudia; Meganne Forbes and husband Steve Richards; Meganne’s son Devon Forbes and wife Shaye Collester Forbes; Leslie Forbes Riskin and husband Ron.

There will be an open house memorial for Louise on Saturday, July 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Forbes Art & Frames, 2302 Florencita Dr. in Montrose.

Donations can be made in her honor to Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada, CA 91011 (www.descansogardens.org/store/donate).