Beverly A. Forsythe

Beverly A. "Bev" Forsythe, 84, of Middletown, Ohio, “crossed the Jordon” and was welcomed into heaven on Valentine’s Day (Sunday, February 14, 2021). She was defeated by a return visit from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She fought and won three previous battles with this cancer in 1997, 2004 and 2006. The cancer remained in remission for nearly 14 years and returned last year to secretly ravage her body.
Bev was born on her family’s farm near Cylinder, Iowa on March 28, 1936 during a blinding snowstorm. Prior to her arrival, neighbors worked diligently to push snow off the lane leading up to the farmhouse so the doctor could arrive safely for her delivery. Bev’s parents, Elmer and Agnes (McGovern) Elbert died in 1979 and 1993, respectively. She grew up with five sisters and three brothers, and is survived by seven of her eight siblings: Marge Forey, Eleanor Jean Johnson, Darold (June) Elbert, Ruth (Ken) Poeppe, Steve (Diana) Elbert, Agnes (Arnie) Havermann and Richard (Joan) Elbert. An older sister, Lavonne Julia Elbert, died of Polio in 1943 at the age of 13.

She was married to her husband Robert (Bob) L. Forsythe for nearly 50 years. He died in 2006. In 1960, Bob and Bev moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Middletown, Ohio where they raised their family during the 60s and 70s. Bev leaves behind their five children: Barb Bokenkotter, Mike Forsythe, Patti (Jeff) Spaulding, Tom (Amy) Forsythe and Tim (Kristin) Forsythe. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Amy (Joe) Wojnowski and Ryan (Lexi) Bokenkotter, Ryan Forsythe and Callie Forsythe, Miranda (Mitch) Peebles and Cameron Forsythe; and three great grandchildren: Zachary, Vance and Adalyn Wojnowski. Her son-in-law, Glenn Bokenkotter preceded her in death just two months ago.

Throughout the 1970s, Bev looked forward to planning and preparing for the annual family vacation that usually occurred during the first two weeks of August. She was a talented seamstress, and in her later years, excelled at embroidery and making quilts. She enjoyed decorating the house with her creations, working in the yard, gardening, and watching the birds that frequented the bird feeders in the backyard. Bev was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church / Holy Family Parish and faithfully attended Mass every Sunday as well as on all the Holy Days. In addition to caring for her family, Bev enjoyed playing golf and spent most fair-weather days walking the golf course to play 18 holes of golf with her usual group of girlfriends at Wildwood Golf Club. She was also an avid bridge player and for over 40 years belonged to several “card” clubs with the same groups of ladies. Bev also participated in several bowling leagues at Eastern Lanes Bowling Alley.

Bev will be greatly missed by her family and friends. However, everyone can take comfort to know that she is in a beautiful resting place - “We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own.” (Philippians 3:20-21).

A celebration of Bev’s life, including a Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Holy Family Parish - Holy Trinity Church, 201 Clark Street, Middletown, with Father John Civille as celebrant. Masks and social distancing protocols are required for all who attend.

Memorial contributions in Bev’s name may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597, -Donate Hospice of Cincinnati and/or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Tri-State Chapter, 4370 Glendale Milford Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242, Donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society .