Alene Janette Watkins Forbes Obituary (1931 - 2020)

Funeral services for Alene Forbes will be broadcast live on Wednesday, Monday October 12, 2020 beginning at 10:45 AM. To watch this service, please click on the link below. Click HERE to view Funeral Services for Alene Forbes Alene Janette Watkins Forbes, age 89, passed away peacefully October 1, 2020 in South Jordan, Utah. Alene Janette Watkins Forbes, was born on February 4, 1931 to Gareld Watkins and Thelma Shoell in Provo, Utah. Mother and her sister Marilyn grew up in Richland, Washington during the great depression. After graduating from Columbia High School, Mom attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a major in Nutrition and a minor in Chemistry in 1952. While at BYU, Mom met the love of her life, Homer Robins Forbes from Layton, Utah and, a day after graduation, they married for time and all eternity on June 3, 1952 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Although Mom and Dad lived in many places in the United States, they eventually settled in San Jose, California. They raised seven children: Linda, Stephen, Carolene, Suzanne, Margaret, David, and Julee. Mom had a vibrant, positive personality and a wonderful sense of humor. She adored her children and she also expected much from them. Mom and Dad attended almost every graduation, recital, performance, and missionary farewell and homecoming for their seven children and grandchildren. After retirement, Alene and Homer built a home in the Sierra Mountains of Volcano, California that they enjoyed for many years. They enjoyed serving a mission together in Auckland, New Zealand for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They also enjoyed traveling to new places and visited over fifty countries around the world. For over a decade, Alene and Homer participated at an LDS girl’s camp in the Sierra Mountains where they led hikes and taught mountaineering skills. Because of their dedication to the girl’s camp, Camp Ritchie, the church dedicated the lodge in their name. In addition, there were many family gatherings and incredible family memories made in Alaska, Lake Tahoe, and Volcano, and Mom loved the annual summer Lake Powell houseboat trip. Alene was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully and enjoying service in many callings. She is survived by her children: Linda’s husband Robert Crowther, Stephen (Mary Faith) Forbes, Carolene Cook, Suzanne (Steven) Roberts, Margaret Gibson, David (Gretchen) Forbes, and Julee (Todd) Koplin, thirty-two grandchildren; and fifty-six great-grandchildren, with 3 on the way. Her sister Marilyn survives her. Mom is preceded in death by her parents, her infant sister Janice, her husband Homer, her daughter Linda Crowther, son in law Paul Cook, and her great grandchildren Jaycee Forbes, Ezra Cook, and Evelyn Gibson. A viewing will be held Sunday, October 11th from 5-7 PM at Jenkins Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan. The funeral will be held at 11 am on Monday, October 12, 2020 at the Grove Creek Chapel 500 N. 700 E. Pleasant Grove, with a viewing from 10:00-10:45 prior to the funeral. Burial will be at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, with a luncheon afterwards at the chapel in Pleasant Grove. Those attending are asked to wear a mask and social distance.