Lakeside resident Joan Marie Forman passed away on April 21 after a long illness at the age of 72.
Born August 2, 1939 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Forman made her home with her grandparents, Raymond and Mary Poteet, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. She attended Ruidoso High School, where she was recognized as a talented singer, winning multiple state competitions in 1956. She graduated from high school in 1957 and studied opera at Boston University.
Forman married Dan Griffith in 1960 and the couple, living in Ruidoso, had three daughters. Griffith died in 1981.
Joan married Roy Forman in 1987 and the couple moved to Ajijic from El Paso, Texas in 1993.
Forman was a wonderful cook and hostess and loved to entertain and travel the world with her husband.
Forman was popular with those in the local community and is remembered by many as the co-founder of the New Dimensions Center for the Mind, Body and Spirit. For several years, the Formans spearheaded a feeding program to help out the Niños y Jovenes children’s shelter in San Juan Cosala and each year provided a lavish Christmas party there that was enjoyed by all.
Forman is survived by her devoted husband, Roy, of Jaltepec, and three daughters and a son-in-law: Georgia Bates of Scottsdale, Arizona, Dawn Griffith of Lakeport, California and Shaun and Harry Brenton, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona. She had seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Forman’s life will be held on Sunday, July 1 at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Donations in her memory may be made to the Niños y Jovenes children’s shelter in San Juan Cosala.