Kathleen (Kay) Forster was born in Lethbridge on December 20, 1917, to Ethel May and Frederick David Johnson and passed away on September 21, 2010 at the Good Samaritan West Highland Centre, where she had resided for almost 3 years.

Kay was a lifetime resident of Lethbridge, attending Fleetwood and Central Schools and LCI. She and Charles Eugene (Gene) Forster were married in St.Augustine's Anglican Church on October 11, 1938. A homemaker until their children left home, Kay later joined Gene in his insurance business, Forster Agency, where she spent 17 years. Kay enjoyed the many years she and Gene spent in their several trailers in Waterton and traveling to other places. Retirement brought Kay and Gene a trip to England for their 50th anniversary and winters spent in their condo in Hawaii and mobile home in California, until Gene's death in 1997 after 59 years of marriage.

Kay is survived by her son, Mich Forster (Paulette Dumont) of Lethbridge and daughter Gayle Sharp (Redmond) of Redmond, Washington; grandchildren Meighan Sharp (Scott Tate), Roanoke, Virginia; Christopher Sharp, Kirkland, Washington; Kurt Forster (Patti), Calgary; Christie McMullin (Jamie), Lethbridge; Cam Forster, Calgary; great-grandson Toby Tate, Roanoke, Virginia; and step-grandsons Fletcher, Jared (Annie) and Devon Walls. In addition to her husband, Kay was predeceased by her parents, brother, RCAF F/Sgt. Fred Johnson (1943) and granddaughter, Kathryn Sharp (2007).

Family members have shared treasured memories of time spent with Kay. A highlight of both Kathryn's and her grandmother's lives was a shared trip to England in 1999 to visit relatives and the birthplace of Kay's mother, Ethel. Meighan recalls the loan of Grandma's pearls for her wedding and their later gift. Kay shared the priceless gift of letters, pictures and the story of her brother, Fred, with Christopher, allowing him to know ""one of the greatest men I never knew."" Flying paper airplanes with Grandma from the 12th storey balcony of her apartment building is the recollection of Kurt as a small boy. Christie remembers a wonderful Christmas spent in California with Grandma and Grandpa. When Cam visited Kay at the Samaritan not long ago and told her that he had received his Doctorate, she turned to her caregiver and said, ""You'll have to be careful - there's a doctor here"". Son-in-law, Redmond Sharp (an American), especially remembers how Kay welcomed him into the family even when he didn't speak ""Canadian"". Mich recalls his mother as the most gracious and courageous person he has ever known, while Gayle will miss their many years of long, long conversations, which had diminished in recent months. Kay was a loving, caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will remain forever in our hearts.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at the Good Samaritan West Highland Centre for the exceptional and gentle care they gave Kay during her stay.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date. Remembrances may be made to Southminster United Church or a charity of your choice.