Muriel V Douglass Forbes

Muriel V. Douglass Forbes, 90, of Westerville, OH passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 24, 2022. Muriel was born January 28, 1931, in Cheyenne County, Kansas, and was the daughter of the late Joe and Edith Douglass. Joyfully meeting Muriel at the gates of the New Jerusalem were her mom and dad, ten brothers, one sister, and her infant daughter Oreta Kay. Imagine the joyful reunion with her daughter after 66 years! There were two husbands awaiting her arrival. -- Rufus Forbes, whom she married in 1950 at the age of 19, and Frank Shernak whom she married in 1998. Frank helped to heal Muriel’s heart after her beloved Rufus died in 1994 and for ten years remained her best friend and husband until his death in 2008. Muriel’s granddaughter Melissa and her daughter-in-law Frances are there as well. Muriel dedicated her heart and her life to two things: The Lord and her family. She intentionally lived a life as a woman of God. In doing so, was an example to those around her. Her house was often filled with family and friends. Her presence made it feel like home to all who entered. She welcomed people into her home and dinner table with open arms and an inclusive heart. Muriel modeled living a life of joy and took hardship in stride. Of course, she struggled when things got tough. Yet in those times, she would find a way to move on with a positive attitude. Muriel understood that happiness meant having peace and that is how she chose to live her life. Even during her most difficult trial of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she found a way to walk through that time with grace and a sense of humor including saying things like, "Well, now I can hide my own Easter eggs." She exhibited deep and lingering patience. She was a patient mom, teaching her daughters to sew, ripping out and re-pinning seams then ripping out and re-pinning again. She educated her grandkids by reading with them, playing games, and working puzzles. Muriel always had a song or rhyme to share. No matter the topic at hand, she would have a relevant ditty to add to the conversation. She worked tirelessly -- whether it was alongside Rufus running the hog farm or at the Post Office. Even after a long day at work, she would still have a hot meal on the table for her family. Muriel attended church her entire life, including in Yuma and Akron. It was important to her to faithfully attend every Sunday whether alone or with a car full of grandkids. Over the years she proudly held every position of service to God and the congregation, except teaching men's Bible study and serving as a pastor. You may remember Muriel as your mail carrier. She worked for the postal service in both Yuma and Akron, Colorado. If you lived in either of those towns between 1984 to 1995, she probably delivered your Christmas cards and letters from those you love. Okay, your bills too but she preferred the fun mail! She really enjoyed this job and those she worked with. She may sound like the perfect woman. No one is perfect, but she came as close as a woman can. If you knew her, then you understand. She was a wonderful mother, wife, grandma, a loving great-grandma, great-great-grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, neighbor, loyal and caring friend, employee, and coworker. The family she leaves behind are her 4 children, Alice (Marlin) McCracken of Hotchkiss, CO, Maloria (Don) McAteer of Westerville, OH, Orin Forbes of Delta, CO, and Danelle (David) Denney of Wheat Ridge, CO. Muriel will be missed by her grandkids, Michelle Dutton, Melynda Haberman, Melani Chang, John McAteer, Josh McAteer, Jody Forbes, Delores Williams, Ryan Forbes, Leroy Forbes, Cameron Denney, Connor Denney, 19 great-grandchildren with #20 on the way and 3 great-great-grandchildren with #4 on the way. From her family please know this: she was ready to meet The Lord. She was not afraid and in fact, often stated that she did not know why God had not taken her home yet. She is now finally home. Services will be held Friday, February 11, 2022, at the First Baptist Church, 875 E Third Street, Akron, Colorado at 2:00 p.m. A light meal will be served following the service. Contributions in memory of Muriel can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio, 1379 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215, 614-457-6003, or 800-272-3900. You can visit her memorial webpage at https://www.leafcremationohio.com/