Lindsay FORSYTH

Obituary of Lindsay FORSYTH

        February 28, 1931 – Tulsa, Oklahoma            
December 3, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta    

 

Anne Lindsay Forsyth was born on February 28, 1931 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of John Duncan and Anne Elizabeth (Topp) Forsyth. Her father, who was born in Scotland, became a prominent architect whose work included the E.W. Marland Mansion in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma. Her mother, a distinguished woman of letters, was one of the founders of the Tulsa Town Hall, a non-profit organization that, since 1935, has hosted a speaker series considered to this day to be one of the best in America. She died when Lindsay was seven years old.

Lindsay spent her childhood years in Tulsa, and her teenage and adult years in California. From pre-school to graduate studies and beyond, Lindsay received an excellent education. All her life, she was deeply grateful for the academic and spiritual guidance that she received from her teachers, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Santa Barbara, California, and later from her colleagues, the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Lindsay taught in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Walnut Creek, and Oxnard in California as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She moved to Calgary in 1972 and taught at St. Gregory Junior High and St. Francis High School. St. Gregory was her introduction to Canadian education. She loved the students, staff and faculty of St. Francis and wholeheartedly immersed herself into the life and spirit of that community as a teacher of Art History, English department head, liturgy coordinator, assistant to the Drama teacher, Humanities tour guide to Assisi with colleagues and students, and often as faculty leader and speaker at provincial conferences. Always at the forefront of using innovative methods in the classroom, Lindsay’s unique approach to teaching English, woven from a tapestry of Literature, History, Geography, Philosophy, Theology, Psychology and Fine Arts, often delivered with humour, endeared her to her students. They were always assured of her personal interest in them: notes of encouragement on their assignments and a challenge to use their talents more effectively. They were inspired by her, respected her knowledge and caring, and expressed their gratitude long after her retirement. One student said of her: “She taught me how to read between the lines, how to experience literature, and how to love and experience the English language.” That statement and many others like it were echoed by other former students, including more recently those whom she taught in her early teaching career in California. A master teacher, Lindsay was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award by the Alberta Minister of Education and a Teacher of the Year Award by the Calgary Teachers’ Association. Lindsay loved Canada. She called it “The Land of my Dreams” and became a Canadian citizen in 1981. She was a world traveller. She delighted in visiting those places where her literary idols lived, worked, or died. The great art museums of Western Europe, as well as dramatic or musical performances where artist or artwork flourished became the wellspring from which she drew her inspiration when teaching her students. No less inspirational were the trips to the river walks in Calgary, Kananaskis, Banff, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the astounding lessons that nature teaches. Many a student confessed to wanting to travel after Lindsay, in her inimitable style, described the richness of travel. A good listener and friend to many, Lindsay was a compassionate and caring person, always interested in the lives of others. Her sense of humour and memorable quips often drew laughs. As one of her colleagues said, “She learned the art of living and we are better persons for having known her.” For those who were part of her inner circle of friends, Lindsay was all one could hope for in a friend: interesting, steadfast in loyalty, open, supportive, forgiving, humourous, and always ready for new adventures. She made the journey rich and memorable. She is deeply mourned by all her friends, especially Doretta Mario, her friend and companion of forty years. A woman of deep faith, Lindsay said, early in her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, that she would place her life and future in the hands of Divine Providence. She died on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in Calgary, AB. Lindsay is mourned by the Mario family, who adopted her as one of their own, Diane Thomas, a former student and steadfast friend from her California days, and her many friends on both sides of the border.

Exultation

Is the going

Of an inland soul to sea

Past the houses – past the headlands

Into deep Eternity

- Emily Dickinson

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.   Reception to follow at the Church. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Lindsay’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. Many thanks to the medical staff and caregivers, especially those at Bethany Riverview who assisted Lindsay during her illness.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Lindsay Forsyth. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3,   Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Friday
6
December

Funeral Mass

11:00 am
Friday, December 6, 2019
St. Luke's Catholic Church
1566 Northmount Dr NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 282-9488
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