Tribute

Maureen Forrest of Powell River passed away the morning of Sunday, August 7, at the age of 81 with her husband Bill at her side.

Maureen was born on Tuesday, January 14, 1941, in Glasgow, Scotland. She moved to Burnaby, BC at the age of 16 with her parents, Joe and Catherine Mellis, and brothers, Joe and Brian. At the age of 18, on March 7, 1959, she met and married her first husband, Joe McNaughton. They moved to Terrace, BC, in 1964 and raised their four children, Heather, Stuart, Colin and Brian.

Maureen had a real love and compassion for all animals and had many family pets, farm animals and horses. She loved going into the horse shows and entering the other animals in the fall fairs, where many trophies and ribbons were won. She made up many costumes including some for the horse shows where she would match up the kids with a horse each for the costume
parades.

Maureen was well known by family and friends for her big camper bus with all the fancy horns she loved to play with. She was a talented accordion player. She loved Christmas and she loved family and would gather all the family with cousins and friends to have a fun time Christmas carolling in the bus together, with hot chocolate for everyone, and then make her home extra special with all the Christmas decorations and Christmas turkey dinners.

Maureen worked as a BC Tel Operator, Thornhill School Bus Driver and a driver for the Terrace Transit Bus Service. In 1986, she moved to Powell River, where she took several courses in the “Women in Trade program,” including how to operate and run a loader, skid steer, assist in a rebuild of a car motor, and created beautiful stained glass artwork. She then drove for the Assumption Catholic School Bus and became well known as the very cheery and helpful bus driver for the Powell River Transit System until she retired. While in Powell River, she met Bill Forrest and they were married on October 21, 1995. Together they loved travelling about in their motorhome, camping and visiting family. There was always endless fun, hot chocolate, treats and meals in grandma’s motorhome, with Conan the parrot and dogs Shorty, Goldy, Rusty, and Kelly, Maureen will be remembered for her sense of humour, courage, stubbornness, warm and affectionate hugs, never-ending family adventures, and caring and generous ways. She
was always the first to say “cheers” for any toast or occasion.

Maureen is survived and will be greatly missed by her husband Bill, daughter Heather
(Bruce) Graydon, sons Stuart (Florence) McNaughton, Brian McNaughton and stepson
Bill (Irene) Forrest, twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, twelve step-great-grandchildren, and brothers Joe (Mary) Mellis and Brian (Marilyn) Mellis. She will also be greatly missed by all her nieces and nephews, family
and friends and her much-loved cats Missy and Dolly.

Maureen was predeceased by her previous husband Joseph McNaughton, son Colin (Johanna) McNaughton, grandson Corey McNaughton, stepson Gordon (Carla) Forrest, and parents Joseph and Catherine Mellis.

Thank you to Dr. Moorwood, nurses and staff at qathet General Hospital in Powell River.

A small family gathering for Maureen was held on August 16,
2022, in her honour, with Ann Snow attending to play several
songs on the bagpipes including “Amazing Grace.”

We love you and will miss you dearly.
We hold you close within our hearts
And there you will remain
To walk with us throughout our lives
Until we meet again.