Joyce Forest

St. Johnsbury, VT: Joyce M. Forest, 94, of Canterbury Inn in St. Johnsbury, formerly of North Concord, passed away Monday, September 17, 2018, in Lebanon, NH.

Joyce was born in St. Johnsbury on January 12, 1924 to James and Forrestine (Duke) McCormick.  On June 30, 1942, she became the wife of Arnold Forest.  They shared 57 years together until his death in 1999. Joyce attended local schools and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from Lyndon State College.  Joyce then worked as an Elementary teacher for the Town of Concord for 14 years.

An active lady, Joyce served as a Justice of the Peace in Concord for 30 years and as a member of the Zoning Board for 10 years.  She was a Trustee of the Concord Library as well as a member of a number of organizations including the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Daughters of the American Revolution of St. Johnsbury, the Concord Historical Society, the Retired Teachers Association of Caledonia and Southern Essex Counties, and the Vermont Retired Teacher Association. She was also a Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital Volunteer.  She played the organ at home all the time and served as organist in both St. Johnsbury and Concord.  Joyce’s love of sewing inspired her to make baby quilts for all of her grand and great-grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by two sons: James Forest of Concord, and Glenn Forest and wife, Patricia, of St. Johnsbury; three daughters: Sharon Shatney and husband, Kenneth, of Arcadia, FL, Arlene Allin and husband, William, of Lancaster, NH, and Claire Chapman and husband, David, of Granville, MA; a brother: Kenneth McCormick and wife, Janice, of Theresa, NY; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband: Arnold Forest; a son: Frank Forest; a daughter-in-law: Phyllis Forest; and two great-grandsons: Michael Justin Dewhurst and Travis Basile as well as her brother Gerald "Bud" McCormick.

Visitors may call on the family Friday, September 21, 2018, 6-8PM at the Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, VT.  Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 11AM at Sayles Funeral Home.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Concord, VT.

Donations in Joyce’s name can be made to Concord FAST Squad, c/o Richard Fisher, PO Box 689, North Concord, VT 05858.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.saylesfh.com.