Kathleen Cecelia Lacy Forst

Kathleen Cecelia Lacy Forst, age 89, passed away April 23, 2019 in Jupiter, Florida. Kathleen was born in Meridian, Mississippi on September 5, 1929. She was the daughter of Russelle R. and Kathleen (Murphy) Lacy. She is survived by three children, Kathleen Forst Putnam (Michael) of Lynchburg, Virginia, Vincent J. Forst (Lori) of Jupiter, Florida, and Carolyn Forst Bruchalski (John) of Oak Hill, Virginia, eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, brother Russelle and husband Vincent. Kathleen graduated ‘class of 47’ at Palm Beach High School, West Palm Beach, Florida. She pursued her passion in the garment industry working at fashion shops on Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, until her marriage to her high school sweetheart Vincent Forst, in 1950. Kathleen and Vince moved to Currituck Sound, NC, and then San Francisco CA while Vince served in the Marine Corps. Kathleen and Vince returned to West Palm Beach in 1953. They started building a home in 1956 for their young family on the Loxahatchee River. Kathleen cherished life on the river and enjoyed living there the remainder of her life. Kathleen and Vince opened Forst Rattan Custom Furniture and Kay Forst Resort Wear, Hobe Sound FL in 1965, and were in business for forty-two years. In their later years, Kathleen and Vince enjoyed travel to Europe, especially her beloved County Cork Ireland where her relatives the Murphys and Lacys, reside. Kathleen and Vince also enjoyed many trips to the Bahamas and the coastal southeastern US in their Mainship the “Miss K”. Kathleen served on the board of directors at Gratitude House, West Palm Beach, Florida from 1982 through 2002, and later served as a volunteer and major contributor at Fern House in West Palm Beach, Florida during its early years. After retiring in 2007, Kathleen volunteered at Jupiter Medical Center and then Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach through 2016. Kathleen felt it important to give back to the hospital and community that had extended care and healing to her entire family throughout the years. Kathleen will be remembered for her kindness and generosity towards anyone who needed help; whether it was mentoring others, giving of her time to volunteer in the community, or her ready smile and hospitality to friends both old and new. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Trustbridge Hospice, 5300 East Ave, West Palm Beach, FL, 33486 Divine Mercy Care at Divinemercycare.org Fern House, 1958 Church Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, (561) 471-0430 A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on May 25, 2019 at 11:00 AM, at Jupiter First Church, 1475 Indian Creek Parkway, Jupiter, FL 33458

Kathleen Cecelia Lacy Forst

September 5, 1928 - April 23, 2019