About Mary C.Forbes

In 1998 the Mary C. Forbes Charitable Foundation came into being.  Thousands of children have been assisted in attending our Catholic Schools here in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. 

Who was Mary C. Forbes?  How did this happen?  Mary was born on December 17, 1899, in New York City.  Her parents were Patrick and Mary Convery from Ireland.  As a young child she was extremely ill and her parents were told she would not live long.  But the doctors were wrong!  She grew up and married her husband, Jack Forbes, and lived in New York until he died and she retired to Florida.  She died on October 2, 1997. She was a small Irish woman who was independent and had a wonderful Irish “wit”. 

She was a member of the Third Order for the Franciscans for the years she resided in Florida.  She was always available when she was asked to do anything.  Her spirit was of service and gratitude. 

A very dear friend shared the story of visiting Mrs. Forbes once a week and always finding her sitting on her porch with many baskets of colored beads and crosses.  She made hundreds of colorful Rosaries for school children which was her way of showing her love for children as she was never able to have any children of her own. 

How blessed our school children are in this life to have such a wonderful lady still being a part of their lives though the Foundation.