Frances Maude Forsythe

Frances Maude (Shaw) Forsythe, age 97, passed from this world on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia. Frances was born February 8, 1913, to Fred and Maude Shaw on a farm near Hilton, Iowa. She was a graduate of Albia Community High School and received her Normal Training Certificate. She married James W. Forsythe on March 16, 1935, in Unionville, Missouri. They resided on a farm northeast of Albia near Avery. Frances began a teaching career at White Rural School, in Mantua Township in 1950. She then taught in the Avery School district before moving into the Albia school systems where she taught second grade at Washington School and finished her career at to Kendall Schools. She received her Bachelors degree from William Penn University, and had nearly completed her Masters degree before retiring after 24 years in 1964. Frances was a lifetime member of the Iowa State Education Association, a member of IRSTA, and a long time member of our local Farm Bureau Federation. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was just as dedicated to her students as she was her grandchildren. To all her former students you can rest in fact that she took so much pride in every one of you. She loved her school children, grandchildren, painting, and writing. She was known as Sun Bonnett Sue from the KBIZ Barn Dance Saturday night radio broadcasts during the 1940's, playing accordion, guitar, and harmonica. She wrote and had published two books in memory of her childhood. She was a talented individual who will be missed by her family, friends, and former students. Frances is survived by one son, Ray Forsythe and wife Karyn (Cosgrove) Frosythe, of Albia; their three children, Michael and wife Kimberly (Waters) Forsythe of Albia, Robert Forsythe of Albia, and Amy (Forsythe) and David Kluver of Carlisle; three great grandsons, Sutton Dayne Forsythe, Rowan Shaw Forsythe, and William. One sister, Mrs. John Mahin (Lou) of Albia as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Forsythe; her parents; four brothers, Leal, Don, Jack, and Evan Shaw; two sisters, Dorothy and Gertrude. She was a proud woman. Proud of family and friends but very modest about her many accomplishments. Her talent and love will never be forgotten.

Frances Maude Forsythe

February 8, 1913 - December 11, 2010