Mildred "Mitzie" Forbes
October 23, 1928 ~ August 18, 2019
Mildred “Mitzie” (Zigich) Forbes, 90, of Mooresville, passed away August 18, 2019. Mitzie was born October 23, 1928, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Zorka and Eli Zigich.
In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Mitzie was well known for her work as a news reporter and “The Voice of Mooresville” on WCBK radio from 1976-1995. She was active in service to Mooresville and greater Morgan County for over 30 years, serving on several boards and was also a member of Tri Kappa, the Bay View Literary Club, and the Friends of the Library. She was a three-term Mooresville Chamber of Commerce Director and was elected the Chamber’s first female president in 1984. She was named Mooresvillian of the Year in 1985. Mitzie met her husband, the late Jack Forbes, at the Mooresville Old Settler’s Picnic.
She was also predeceased by her parents; her sister, Marian Nicholas; her son-in-law, Robert Skelton; her granddaughter, Jennifer Rhoden.
Survivors include her children, Marcelle LaMaster Skelton, Donna Rhoden (Marvin), and John Forbes (Jennifer); grandchildren, John Rhoden, Cole Skelton, Lauren Forbes, Sarah Forbes; and one great grandchild, Carolina Tillman.
Friends and family will gather on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 4 to 8 p.m., in the chapel at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2019, at the funeral home. Burial will be in White Lick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mooresville Public Library, 220 West Harrison Street, Mooresville, Indiana. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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I met Mitzi when she was my Girl Scout leader, and later I became her assistant leader. For several years I filled in for her at WCBK when she would have time off. I loved her, enjoyed her humor, and consider her to have been a mentor. Mooresville will miss her, as will I’m sorry that I am out of state and unable to attend her service.
I met Mitz at Millers. She was very kind. Very beautiful person inside and out.
Mitzi was my buddy she was very compassionate I love her and will most definitely miss her. Fly high to your Father my friend. Love Anita Kirschbaum
I met “Mitzi” Forbes 1976 – 1977 after our 2nd son was born. I had communicated with Seniors all during my life. I saw a new program coming to Mooresville for Seniors, The Senior Nutrition Program Hostess needed a part time employee. I was given the position 2 months after birth of our 2nd son in 1976. Mitsy would get info & would share notable item @ The Times.. Sometime around time of family emergency I needed to resign1978. About that time or after Mitzi was also active with Senior Center while moving etc. 1979 on we had more contact & she was always a precious person to be with anytime. Surprise when she came to Miller’s Merry Manor having Rehab after my surgery. I recognized her from hall & I had a few friends in same hall. This I have had her as a friend over 43 yrs. So sorry for our Community loss. Sure have many memories to be with us until all is History….
Mitzi had a contagious laugh that will forever remain a part of my loving and lasting memory of her. Mitzi embraced life with adventure and purpose. Some of my fondest memories of Mitzi’s was watching her literally scurrying (Mitzi’s shuffle) about the Library in a rhythmic tempo gathering her armful of new reads for the week. The Library was a weekly visit for her. She lived across from the library for many years and during the 2005 expansion & remodel of the library, she always said she had a bird’s eye view of the construction and in many ways was a ‘project manager’ from afar. She loved seeing the town of Mooresville grow, although a transplant Mooresvillian, Mooresville was her Town! Mitzi’s was a dear friend, a mentor and an inspiration to me, and to most whom were blessed to know her. Mitzi served on many boards over the years including both the Library Board and the Friends of the Library and she held many positions. For decades Mitzi served on the Friends of the Library Board and during the annual FOL book sales she shared her love of reading by displaying gently used books in hopes of rehoming them while offering a sort of reader’s advisory to fellow book lovers! Over the past few years, Beth Hensley and I enjoyed our occasional lunch and chat with Mitzi while she was a resident at Miller’s Merry Manor. We always enjoyed our conversations and reminiscing about her adventures as the voice of Mooresville on WCBK. Without remiss, Mitzi would update us on her family. She took so much pride in sharing their successes and her joy of being their mother/ grandmother! I am blessed that our paths crossed in this lifetime! Continue your journey in Heaven as you have here on Earth… fulfilled! Diane Huerkamp
I met Mitzie at Miller’s. She had a great sense of humor and a quick mind. She was my friend and will be very much missed. She can now breathe deeply without assistance. Love you Mitzie.
Originally, I met Mitzie when I was 11 and she came to Waverly Elementary to record a Christmas segment on the choir for a local radio show. I would meet her again years later when I worked at the library, we formed a friendship and I spent a significant part of my early 20s sitting at her kitchen table drinking tea. I learned more in those talks than I ever did in school. We lost touch over the years but I thought of her often and she will be missed. She was the type of person you never forget and I was truly blessed to have known her.