Marie Forsyth, 95, a resident of Paradise Valley, Ariz., and Scottsdale, Ariz., since 1965, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, at her home. She lived alone at her home in Villa Monterey since her husband of more than 62 years, Walter Forsyth, died there in her care on Sept. 16, 1990.

Born Edna Marie Shepherd on Dec. 6, 1906, in Olney, she lived a long and prolific life, filled with creativity and a passion for learning and discovery. Marie began writing and painting early in her life and continued these pursuits into her final days. She was a gifted water colorist, holding a one person show during her earlier residency in Carbondale. Her paintings are widely collected and have won numerous awards. She was equally dedicated to creative writing, having had many works published in professional journals. In her final two years, she published separate books of original poetry and haiku. Her talents also extended to interior design and decoration, and she was a member of the NSID while employed with an architectural firm in Carbondale.

She was a member of the Valley Presbyterian Church, the Scottsdale chapter of P.E.O., and the Caddo Writing Society of Louisiana, which awarded her a prize for her short story, The Shawl.

In addition to her children, she is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Rita Forsythe of Novato, Calif.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Scott of Sperryville, Va., and Linda Kirland and husband, Andrew Bonime, of New York City, N.Y.; six grandchildren, living in California, Virginia, New York, and Connecticut; and four great-grandchildren who live with their parents in California and Connecticut.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her longtime caregiver and companion, Selena Anderson, and her many friends and family members in Arizona, Illinois, and other locations across the country.

Published in Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) - Tuesday, November 12, 2002