Arlene Forbes

March 16, 1955 - January 23, 2019
Arlene often said, "Life is good", and it was. Hers was a beautiful life that she built with her high school sweetheart Randy, and they celebrated every moment for more than 43 years. Her positive energy and sense of humour lifted and led us throughout her life. Arlene had a natural ability for authenticity, hospitality, and inclusion. Her family was her foremost priority and her list of true friends was infinite. Hers was a light that shone brightly.

Born in Virden, Manitoba Arlene grew up in Nanaimo and was an Island girl to the core. She was a natural athlete who loved the ball field and all winter sports (Go Stars Go!). When she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her 20s it did not stop her; instead she became a certified aerobics instructor and led wheelchair bound seniors to fitness. This is a testament to her true grit attitude. That determination led her to be a proud torch bearer for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics - she achieved so much through sheer willpower.

Arlene showed up every single day for life. There is a little casa on the Baja she called her "happy place" and a boat in the Nanaimo Harbour she spent hours of adventure upon, but her home with Randy was her haven. She was a respected Realtor for nearly 25 years at Coast Realty, and for the last five years proudly flew the banner at 460 Realty.

Arlene is upheld with the truest of love by her husband Randy, her "Golden Boys" Kelly and Scott, and her cherished daughters-in-law Julie and Leah (both girls attest they won the "mother-in-law lottery" with Arlene). Her heart was full of pure loving pride for her grandbabies Isaac, Ryder, Eliza, Jamie, and little Anna. She is loved deeply by her mother Elizabeth Hodson (Alan), her father Jim Kelly (Shelley), brothers Stirling Kelly (Sandy) and Leith Kelly, and sister Feron Walker (Duff ). She is also dearly loved by her mother-in-law Marjorie Forbes, sisters-in-law Nancy Johnston (Doug) and Wendy Maclachlan (Rick), and brother-in-law Brian Forbes (Debbie). She had sincere relationships with her nieces and nephews on both the Kelly and Forbes sides: Nolan, Reece, Lucas, Jenna, Cory, Tess, Keyton, Kristie, Michael, Brenden, Corey, Jordan, Tyler, and their beautiful families. Arlene also had a special family bond with Leah & Julie's families as well as her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arlene so loved her dear friends and colleagues. The 460 gang was her "other family" and they loved her as much as she loved them.

Breast cancer did not define her, nor did it defeat her, instead it gave her an acute understanding of what mattered in this life and she refused to let it steal her happiness. In this way, she gracefully conquered this disease and won her right to be free. She did so with absolute independence, strength, and dignity. On one of her last days she put her fist in the air, blew us a kiss and exclaimed, "Best life ever!" She was small, but she was mighty.

Arlene joins those who left before her: sister Cholene Begin, father-in-law Glenn Forbes, her brothers- in-law Gerry Forbes and Al Begin. May they watch over us all.

A celebration of Arlene's life will be held at 1:00 pm on March 31st, 2019 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo. In Arlene's honour put your family first, share a kind word, treasure your friendships, and make sure you have some leftovers in the fridge for unexpected guests! In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity that has meaning to your family. Thank you.