Obituary of Jo Anne Forest

April 19, 1949 – Calgary, Alberta

November 7, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

 

It is with the greatest sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, Jo Anne Forest, on November 7, 2024, at the age of 75.

 

Jo Anne was born on April 19, 1949, in Calgary, AB. She was the fourth of seven children born to Jacqueline and Joseph Sauve. She met Ed while they were co-workers at Powers Trucking, and they married on November 19, 1976. They remained married for forty-two loving years, until Ed’s passing in 2019.

 

Mom had many jobs in her lifetime; she was a stay-at-home mom who babysat the neighbourhood kids, she went on to work at the Bingo Palace starting as a cashier and working her way up to a managerial role. Mom loved her time there; she made so many friends with whom she was still in contact until her passing. Her last job was with Walmart, where, unsurprisingly, she continued to grow her friend base. A quick trip to pick up a few things was never going to happen; she would always run into someone she had to catch up with.

 

Jo Anne loved to play Bingo, take trips to see family in Winnipeg, visit Las Vegas and Coeur d’Alene with friends, and lately found joy in her Sudoku puzzles.

 

Jo Anne loved all five of her children. For those of you thinking “Five kids, how?!”, here’s how she managed that amazing feat:

 

Mom had Brenda and loved her so much that she felt she could not give her what she needed and placed her for adoption. Twenty-four years ago, that beautiful soul came back into our life and family. Mom was over the moon that she had her baby girl back, she was not just a photo in her wallet but a person she could hold and love. Then there is Annette and Philip. Dad brought these two into the relationship and Mom opened her home and heart to them. Blood does not make you family, love does, and she did just that, loved them like her own. Finally, Mom and Dad had Edward and Amber.

 

Her pride and joy were her seven grandkids, two of which she helped raise. She was also blessed with two great-grandsons, one she was excited to hear about and received many hugs and kisses from, and one she was excitedly waiting to meet.

 

Mom wanted to make sure everyone was doing well, she would often go without to make sure her loved ones were taken care of.

 

Jo Anne is survived by her children, Brenda (Michael) Driessen-Criss, Edward (Kim) Forest, Amber Forest (Leon Budlong), Annette (John) Bergunder, and Philip Forest.

 

She leaves behind her grandchildren, Jordan Driessen, Christopher Forest, Kelsey Driessen, Connor Criss, Kayla Grattan, Jade Forest, and Keelyn Criss; great-grandsons, William Grattan and Jack Driessen; sister Linda, sisters-in-law, Arleen Forest, Pauline Forest, and Louise (Ron) Lefebvre; brothers-in-law, Bob Killen and Roger Forest; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of which were so dear to her heart, and her close friends, Kira, Kay, Kathy and Bruce, Rohina and Cheryl; your friendships were more valued than you will ever know. Mom loved you all so very much.

 

Jo Anne was predeceased by her husband Edward Forest, parents Jacqueline and Joseph Sauve, her brothers Jim and Barry (Mae) Sauve, sisters, Sandra Schuetzle, Patricia (David) Burger and Kathy Sauve; brothers-in-law, Len, Danny, Phillip, and David Forest; sisters-in-law, Terry (Paul) Placktis, Georgette (Ian) Manson, and Jenny Forest.

 

By Jo Anne’s request, she has been cremated and a private gathering will be held at a later date.

 

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Mom,

I’ve sat here thinking of my life with you, how much you have sacrificed, how hard you loved, how many nights you sat up and waited for me to come home. You have always been my constant. You were the hand to hold, the shoulder to cry on, the ears that listened, the voice that spoke its soft and hard truths, and the feet that moved mountains. Thank you for loving me the way only you could. I hope the lessons you taught me can be passed on to my family. Please know I’m watching and waiting for you to visit, my conversations with you were not done. Please visit me soon.

Love your baby girl,

Amber

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Grandma Forest,

I love you to the moon and back. You will always be in my heart.

Love,

William

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Grandma, I know I wasn’t the easiest person to deal with at times and it seemed I wasn’t listening to you, but I always was. I will always remember what you taught me. I will always remember when I was little and you would pray with me at bedtime and take care of me when I was sick and mom was at work. Life won’t be the same going forward. I know you and Grandpa are together in heaven watching over all of us. I love you and thank you for being my loving grandma.

 Love,
Kayla

 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jo Anne’s family here.

 

In living memory of Jo Anne Forest, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.

03-276-2296.