Mable Walter Forbes

Mable Walter Forbes

April 19, 1936 – March 1, 2024

Mable Walter Forbes passed away peacefully in Whitehorse at 87 years of age. Predeceased by husband Bert Walter, husband Doc Forbes, daughter Linda Morton, son Dave Morton and granddaughter Jennifer Babcock, Mable is survived by her children Doug Morton of Whitehorse, (Vanessa, Adam), Sandy (Rick) Babcock of Oliver, BC (Rob, James, Kristan), Brenda (Will) Goddard of Creston BC, Jason Walter (Nathalie) of Grande Prairie AB, (Samantha, Danielle, Kristina), daughter-in-law Muriel Morton of Strathmore, AB (Lindsay), Leslie Stephens of Calgary AB and great grandsons Karter Coxford Morton, Silas Coxford Morton, Brendan Morton and David Ross.

Born Mable Mae Stefaniuk on April 19, 1936, in Vancouver BC, Mabe was the third youngest of thirteen children. She married Mike Morton in 1953 where they lived in Whonnock, BC and had five children together before divorcing.

In 1968 she married Bert Walter and the following year moved house and home to the Yukon Territory where they became longtime Yukoners. In 2001 Mable and Bert moved to Alberta to be closer to family. Following the passing of Bert, Mable returned to the Yukon to live with family in Whitehorse. There she met Doc Forbes, the final love of her life. They moved to Sundre, Alberta and were married in 2013. In 2021 they returned to Whitehorse and lived there together until the passing of Doc.

Mable, or Mabe as she was known, was highly active throughout her life and enjoyed a variety of social activities. A huge lifelong sports fan – Mabe enjoyed a wide array of sports ranging from baseball to curling, bowling and golf to name a few. She was well known as an enthusiastic women’s softball player and coach in Whitehorse participating in national championships. Mable had the gift of forging lasting friendships wherever she went. There was always time for visiting, be it playing hearts, crib or bingo or just welcoming you to sit down for a good chat and a hot meal. Mabe kept busy with a variety of jobs – from working at the local golf course to working in the Yukon College bookstore where she chatted up all who crossed her path. She kept a full calendar of activities and events well into her eighties alongside her friends at Whistle Bend Place.

The family is grateful to the staff of Whistle Bend Place and Dr. Blaker for the kind and compassionate care she received.

“A Poem for Grandma”

Mable, in stature small but grand,

Short red curls, mischief at her command.

Olive skin with a radiant glow,

Grandma, mother, a friend we’ll miss, we know.

Stubborn as a rock, with strength untold,

Her legacy, a tale of fortitude to be told.

Baseball, bowling, bingo delight,

In every game, her spirit took flight.

Cheeky whispers, a mischief brew,

Humour and charm, traits we all knew.

In every joke, her presence embraced,

We’ll miss Mable, in our hearts, a cherished space.

Passed on to women, her kin so strong,

Mable’s spirit, a heartbeat in our family’s song.

As we say goodbye with tearful grace,

Her love and strength time can’t erase.

                                                                                                                               By granddaughter Kristan Babcock