Beatrice Ann Forshay

Beatrice Ann (Gray) Forshay, age 78, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on December 17, 2020. Celebration of life will be held at a future date and will be a private family service. Memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations: Wounded Warrior Project, American Diabetes Association, Lewy Body Dementia Association, or the Swan Advocacy Center.

Mrs. Forshay was born August 23, 1942, in Kansas City, Kansas. She was a woman of faith and was known for reminding people in difficult times to “keep your chin up and look to God.” She was a loving wife and mother to six children (and countless others who she “mothered” along the way). She worked for the IRS and was active in her church. She loved teaching American Sign Language to anyone she met and was a strong advocate for women becoming independent and thriving through challenges. She had a mischievous sense of humor and enjoyed surprising people. Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, and performing in plays and Deaf Choir concerts. Her favorite musician was Elvis Presley, and she enjoyed gospel music, especially when performed with a resonant bass.

She was preceded in death by her father Cecil “Curtis” Gray, mother Martha “Cammy” (Ragland) Gray, brothers Randall, Andy, Daniel, and Jim Gray, sisters Betty (Gray) Williamson, Mary (Gray) Reynolds, and Dorothy (Gray) Culbertson, husband Jerry H Forshay, Sr., and son William George Forshay.

Survivors include her brother David Gray, sisters Julia (Gray) Lee and Laura (Gray) Johntson, and five children (Flynda Russette, Jerry Forshay, Jr., Rachel Burkes, Christina Lawson, and Camilla Williams). She is also survived by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.