Linda Carol Forsythe

Our Mother Linda Carol Forsythe passed away on September 10, 2022 in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stockton, Ca. Linda was lovingly surrounded by her children, grandchild, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephew as she took her last breath. Linda was 71 years old. Our Mother passed on the date of our Father Daniel Forsythe's birthday. They will once again be united in the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father.

Linda was born on July 26, 1951 at the Claremore Indian Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma to John Henry Gokey (Quapaw Indian) and Evelyn Majel Dick (Gokey) (Seneca Cayuga Indian). She would later be a big sister to Sandra Kay Gokey. The Gokey Family would then relocate to Stockton Ca. when Linda was still an infant. She would grow up and permanently reside here for the rest of her life.

It was at A.A. Stagg High School where she would meet her high school sweetheart and forever love Danny Forsythe. She was a sophomore, and he was a senior. They remained together and eventually married on August 18. 1972. They were married for 41 years, until the death of our Father on June 11, 2013. Together they had two children Danny in April of 1974 and Cheryl Ann in December of 1980.

Linda was a registered nurse for 40 years. She started her career at a small doctor’s office for a short time and transitioned to St. Joseph’s Hospital for the remainder of her nursing career until she retired in 2013.

After retirement Linda faced and navigated through many obstacles that she would battle through on her life’s journey. Losing her husband and becoming a widow was the first and the toughest for her. It was her strong will, the support of her family and the return to her faith that would help guide her through this dark chapter of her life. The acceptance of her life's new normal and with her side kick Bella (her german shepherd of 13 years) they carried on with their journey together.

A few years later Linda would suffer another setback. While tending to Bella in the early morning hours, she stumbled and fell in the dark breaking her right hip. With the reality of possibly being wheelchair bound Linda endured months of pain, frustration, and rehabilitation. With the support of her family and her strong willed determination, she once again persevered. She was stronger and ready to move forward with her life and her newfound limp!

In January 2019 our Mother would soon be faced with yet another life altering event. Her chronic health conditions forced her to begin dialysis treatments. With great fortune in December 2019 she would be a recipient of a kidney donation. A beautiful young soul named Bailee Tolbert, whom my mother called her angel on earth, would selflessly offer to give our mother the gift of a better quality of life. Her transplant journey included taking 18 different medications daily and a monthly trip to UCSF Kidney Transplant Center for infusion treatments. Eventually she would drive herself early Sunday mornings to SF and be home in time to cheer and watch the 49ers game.

It was during this time of her life she felt very blessed, was very optimistic and excited to have another opportunity to live an independent happy life as a self proclaimed "tough old bird".

Linda was a wife, mother, gramma, sister, aunt and friend. These were her most treasured roles in life. A loving, loyal, and supportive wife to our father. An unconditionally loving, selfless, caring, supportive and understanding mother to my sister and I. She was our nurturer, tutor, protector, strength and our light. Her biggest joy was her grandchildren, Jacynda and Noah. She could hardly wait to become a grandmother, and when she did those two became her whole world. She adored and loved them with all her heart. She would have loved to see them grow older.

Our mother had many passions and loves in her life. Grandchildren, family, friends and pets. A passion for her Native American heritage, nursing, reading, learning, animals, unicorns and dragons. A screaming with excitement fan of the 49ers and Bears. Collecting Christmas ornaments and themed Christmas trees. Watching Jeopardy, the View and Hallmark Christmas movies all day long. She enjoyed Pow Wows for the fry bread, broadway shows, renaissance fairs and the Great Dickens Christmas Faire. Going to the movies just for the popcorn and nachos always sneaking in her candy and drink. Star Trek, Paul Newman, Harry Potter, Syfy Channel, Motown and music of the 60's. Collecting and buying everything she really didn't need from hundreds of catalogs she would receive in the mail. She loved See's Candy, Betty Boop, Dollar tree, and Manny's chicken. After school trips to In-N-Out Burgers and DAD's Dog's with Jacynda. Crazy adventures and long telephone conversations with her sister Sandy. Her solo stops to Costco for hotdogs. Always looking forward to attending the Forsythe-Bustos Christmas party, the book club with her sister-in-laws and dinners with her childhood girlfriends. Spending time sitting in her scooter to walk Bella around the neighborhood.

Linda's 71 year journey was complete with many laughs and happiness, sadness and grief. Great wins and tough losses. A journey full of wonderful lifetime experiences and cherished loving memories with family and friends. Linda will be forever missed, never forgotten and always loved.

Linda is preceded in death by her Husband Dan Forsythe, Parents John and Evelyn Gokey, Mother-in-law Annie Forsythe, Sister-in-law Molly Bustos and many Aunts and Uncles.

Linda is survived by her children Danny Forsythe and Cheryl Ann Johnson-Forsythe Daughter-in-law Chantel Johnson-Forsythe. Grandchildren Jacynda Ryann Forsythe and Noah Johnson-Forsythe. Sister Sandra Kay Gokey and Niece Marquita Lucero. Her Mother-in-law Simona Forsythe, Brothers and Sisters-in-laws John and Connie Bustos, Gary and Annie Forsythe, David and Ginny Espalin-Forsythe, Craig and Lori Forsythe, Sharon Forsythe, and Karen Forsythe-Franco. God Daughter's Sidney Garcia, Melissa Sahagun and Makayla Castanon. Her loving dog, side kick and baby, Bella the German Shepherd.

Our Mother's service will be Saturday January 28, 2023 at 10AM at DeYoung Shoreline Chapel

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.deyoungshorelinechapel.com for the Forsythe family.