Jane Forbes
HOCEKSSIN - Passed away peacefully at age 96 while under Accent Hospice Care at The Summit in Hockessin, DE. Jane was born in New York City to Louise and Harry Van Syckel. After graduation from Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, New York, Jane briefly worked as a photographer’s colorist, followed by an exciting career for many years as a Showroom Model in New York City. She enjoyed her early career working exclusively for 2 designers, one of whom rewarded her at the end of a very successful season with a vacation to Bermuda. It was there that she met a dashing young Scotsman, Robert (Scotty) Forbes who happened to be in Bermuda on a layover when flying for BOAC (British Airways). Scotty lit her cigarette on the veranda of the St. George’s Hotel and as they say in the movies, the rest is history. The two married at the Forrest Hills Inn Dec 12, 1953. Together they lived in San Francisco, Queens New York and eventually settled in Newark, DE. They settled in Brookside with so many other young families and Jane became very active in the Brookside Activities Council (BAC), where she made many friendships that lasted a lifetime. Jane was crowned Mrs. Brookside in 1961, Mrs. Delaware and was a finalist in the Mrs. America contest which was nationally televised and held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She also enjoyed a later life fulfilling career in banking which began with the Farmers Bank, Brookside and eventually retiring from the Mellon Bank Branch in Chestnut Hill. Jane and Scotty spent many years traveling and celebrating life and rarely missed a Happy Hour opportunity.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at The Summit, who have been supporting Jane’s journey for the past 4 years and most recently the Accent Care Hospice Team. Left behind to cherish beautiful Jane’s memory are her two daughters, Sharon (Bill Lyons) and Laura (Ashley Dinan), her sister Carol Matz and nieces Cathy Matz-Townsend and Julia Collins.
Services will be private, however in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.