Timeline for Myrtle Rae (Warrick) Forest
Born: September 11, 1936
Died: November 23, 2021
Myrtle Rae “Tootsie” (Warrick) Forest, 85, formerly of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Daughter of the late Coleman G “Mink” Warrick and Ella (Langston) Warrick, she was born September 11, 1936 in Watha, NC. The youngest of 8 siblings, Tootsie grew up in Goldsboro, NC. She married Normand Forest in 1957 and settled in Springfield, MA to raise her family. Tootsie was a devoted wife, mother, neighbor and homemaker. She never missed an opportunity to attend her sons’ sports events and was a good neighbor to all. An accomplished Southern cook and baker, her signature dishes were pork barbecue, hamhocks and black eyed peas, fish fry and hush puppies. Her family enjoyed her pecan pie and German chocolate cake on their birthdays. We truly regret that Tootsie didn’t publish a cookbook and her recipes rest with her. Tootsie often cared for her grandchildren in their younger years and was always there to support them as they grew up. Tootsie bravely lived her life with dementia by keeping a positive spirit and finding joy in all human interactions. She enjoyed calls from her niece Glenda Cruse and granddaughter Jennifer Forest. She admired flowers sent by Betty and Timmy Warrick and John Stone. She had fun getting manicures and shopping in Plymouth with her daughter-in-law Kathleen. Tootsie and Kathleen decorated her room for every holiday, to the delight and enjoyment of the other residents. She loved going out to breakfast with her son Dale and for coffee with grandchildren Dale Shannin, Drew and Shae. A fan of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, she enjoyed singing “All Shook Up” and “A Bushel and a Peck” She loved a good laugh, being silly with a good inside joke and Big Papi was her favorite baseball player. She loved living on the Cape and spending holidays at Dale and Kathleen’s. She adored her dogs Prince, Pepper, Bingo, Bobby, CiCi and Snoopy.
Myrtle is survived by her loving sons Dale Forest (Kathleen) of Sandwich, MA and Normand Forest (Patricia) of CT. She is the cherished grandmother of Dale Shannin, Drew, Shae, Jason and Jennifer Forest and great-grandmother of Emma, Abby, Ben, Olivia, Aiden and Gabriel. She is fondly remembered by her brothers and sisters-in law Georgette English, Bob and Dea Forest, Fernando and Betty Forest as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is the former mother-in-law of Alex Forest. She will be missed by her friends Sheila O’Shaughnessy, Karolain Cardona, Sean Palmer, Christian Bartlett-Forest and Diane Willemain. Tootsie loved her longtime neighbors in East Springfield and Sargon St; Priscilla Kelley, Joe and Kathy Surprenant and the Sleeper, Bousquet and Cooney families. She could rely on Patrick Bagge to maintain her property.
Tootsie was predeceased by her husband Normand Forest in 2008 and her 7 siblings James, Grace, Magdalene, Edna, Gaynelle, Ben and Kenneth Warrick.
Tootsie’s family is grateful to the staff, patients and families at Bourne Manor, she received exceptional care from all. They are especially grateful to her devoted caregivers Suzanne, Wanda and Kevin. Special thanks to Chris Mele and staff at Sunrise of Plymouth Beach and to Gretchen and the staff at Beacon Hospice.
In remembrance of Tootsie, please reach out and help another human being. Practice this everyday in any way that you can. And remember what Tootsie would say, “If you can’t be good, be careful!”
Funeral services for Tootsie will be Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 12:00 Noon at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by burial in the Mass Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diamonds in the Rough Canine Rescue, P.O. Box 10033, Goldsboro NC 27533 or ditrnc.com.
Mom...your kindness, sense of humor and compassion continues to guide me throughout the days! Miss you so much! Tell "Rass" I miss him too! Dale
Dear Dale and family, I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful woman your Mom was, Dale. Certainly she had a life well lived, surrounded by people who loved her. Dale, your dedication and love of your Mom was a constant in all the years that I have known you. You are an example to be followed. Dale, now it is easy to see why you are such an amazing human being. You take after your Mom, for sure.? Fondly, Deb
I graduated with Myrtle from Grantham High School in Wayne County, North Carolina in 1955. I remember her as one with a great sense of humor. She was also not at all bashful about speaking what was on her mind. On behalf of our class please accept our condolences. We regret that she was never able to attend one of our class reunions which we have held annually for more than 25 years and continue to do so, though our numbers have dwindled. I would appreciate hearing from a member of the family via email if one feels so inclined.
In memory of Myrtle Rae (Warrick) Forest, Sheila O’Shaughnessy lit a candle
Tootsie you became my friend when our children (Dale and Kathleen) got married in Stanley Park in Westfield. With every situation and all the celebrations with each new baby ( Dale Shannin, Drew Patrick and Shae Marie) we rejoiced). I’m so happy that you and Norm and Lou and I became grandparents to these 3 amazing children. To watch and laugh with our children as they grew in love and devotion to each other was a special honor we shared as their mothers. I will never forget your humor and ability to make us all laugh even if our grandchildren gave us strange looks and wondered why we could be so silly. Your poor health broke my heart but you always said you were doing good. You never wanted us to be sad or worried about you, you continued bravely year after year on your journey with this disease. You just told me “ call me when I got home “and when will I come back to visit you again? My dear Tootsie and family May God bless you and keep all of you, May His face shine upon you, and until we meet again , May He hold you all in the palm of His hand. I love you all. Sheila O
Myrtle raised a fine man in her son Dale. May she rest in peace. Denise C LaPolla
I love you so much Mom, I miss you every minute. I wish I could talk to you just one more time. I know you're going to be safe with Dad soon. Love Kathleen
Tootsie was a shining light at Bourne Manor. Always had a smile on her face, a joke to tell and a song to sing (Hello Dolly was a common crowd pleaser). My family and I always looked forward to a laugh from her whenever we visited. I am honored to have met her and spend time with her even during the later stages of her life. Thank you, Kathleen and Dale, for inviting me in during your private time to say goodbye. I will cherish that moment forever. We are all so very sorry for your family’s loss and are sending love and hugs to you all. Rest in the sweetest peace Tootsie, WOO WOO! ❤️ Lorne’s daughter and family- Stacey, Tim, Victoria and Amanda Maxwell
I am sorry for your loss. It’s a difficult way to pass. But as you noted she felt her relatives calling her. I feel should be very comfortable now. But from readings her family certainly made her life fun and full. Love uncle Ron L.
Love you Forest’s!
So sorry for your loss ????to you and family
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to Tootsie my cousin. She was loved very much by my mom(Aunt Julia Belle) and dad (Uncle Wilbert) as well as me(Linda) along with my brothers Graham(Mousie) Mickey, and Donnie. Thank you Dale and Katheleen for the loving care you gave to Tootsie. May God give you and all your family peace and comfort at this time. ? ???
A terrific tribute to Tootsie! Your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come. May your beloved mom rest in eternal peace.
Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm
Funeral services for Tootsie will be Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 12:00 Noon at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by burial in the Mass Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diamonds in the Rough Canine Rescue, P.O. Box 10033, Goldsboro NC 27533 or ditrnc.com.
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.
Mom...your kindness, sense of humor and compassion continues to guide me throughout the days! Miss you so much! Tell "Rass" I miss him too! Dale
Dear Dale and family, I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful woman your Mom was, Dale. Certainly she had a life well lived, surrounded by people who loved her. Dale, your dedication and love of your Mom was a constant in all the years that I have known you. You are an example to be followed. Dale, now it is easy to see why you are such an amazing human being. You take after your Mom, for sure.? Fondly, Deb
I graduated with Myrtle from Grantham High School in Wayne County, North Carolina in 1955. I remember her as one with a great sense of humor. She was also not at all bashful about speaking what was on her mind. On behalf of our class please accept our condolences. We regret that she was never able to attend one of our class reunions which we have held annually for more than 25 years and continue to do so, though our numbers have dwindled. I would appreciate hearing from a member of the family via email if one feels so inclined.
In memory of Myrtle Rae (Warrick) Forest, Sheila O’Shaughnessy lit a candle
Tootsie you became my friend when our children (Dale and Kathleen) got married in Stanley Park in Westfield. With every situation and all the celebrations with each new baby ( Dale Shannin, Drew Patrick and Shae Marie) we rejoiced). I’m so happy that you and Norm and Lou and I became grandparents to these 3 amazing children. To watch and laugh with our children as they grew in love and devotion to each other was a special honor we shared as their mothers. I will never forget your humor and ability to make us all laugh even if our grandchildren gave us strange looks and wondered why we could be so silly. Your poor health broke my heart but you always said you were doing good. You never wanted us to be sad or worried about you, you continued bravely year after year on your journey with this disease. You just told me “ call me when I got home “and when will I come back to visit you again? My dear Tootsie and family May God bless you and keep all of you, May His face shine upon you, and until we meet again , May He hold you all in the palm of His hand. I love you all. Sheila O
Myrtle raised a fine man in her son Dale. May she rest in peace. Denise C LaPolla
I love you so much Mom, I miss you every minute. I wish I could talk to you just one more time. I know you're going to be safe with Dad soon. Love Kathleen
Tootsie was a shining light at Bourne Manor. Always had a smile on her face, a joke to tell and a song to sing (Hello Dolly was a common crowd pleaser). My family and I always looked forward to a laugh from her whenever we visited. I am honored to have met her and spend time with her even during the later stages of her life. Thank you, Kathleen and Dale, for inviting me in during your private time to say goodbye. I will cherish that moment forever. We are all so very sorry for your family’s loss and are sending love and hugs to you all. Rest in the sweetest peace Tootsie, WOO WOO! ❤️ Lorne’s daughter and family- Stacey, Tim, Victoria and Amanda Maxwell
I am sorry for your loss. It’s a difficult way to pass. But as you noted she felt her relatives calling her. I feel should be very comfortable now. But from readings her family certainly made her life fun and full. Love uncle Ron L.
Love you Forest’s!
So sorry for your loss ????to you and family
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to Tootsie my cousin. She was loved very much by my mom(Aunt Julia Belle) and dad (Uncle Wilbert) as well as me(Linda) along with my brothers Graham(Mousie) Mickey, and Donnie. Thank you Dale and Katheleen for the loving care you gave to Tootsie. May God give you and all your family peace and comfort at this time. ? ???
A terrific tribute to Tootsie! Your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come. May your beloved mom rest in eternal peace.
Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.