Suffield Obituary: Linda Forsman, 77

Linda Marie (Wagner) Forsman, 77, of Suffield and formerly of Longmeadow, beloved wife of 50 years to Albert "Bud" C. Forsman passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2016.

Born on October 2, 1939 in Holyoke, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Erna (Pueschel) Wagner of Springfield. Linda graduated from Technical High School in Springfield and attended Concordia College, Bronxville, NY. She obtained an Associate's Degree in Business from Asnuntuck Community College and a Business Certification in Public Health from Harvard University.

Linda worked for Blue Cross of Massachusetts for 32 years retiring in 1989 as Vice President of Corporate Programs. She then went back to work for the Holyoke VNA and Hospice Life Care as Vice President of Marketing & Contracting where she retired for the second time in 2006. Linda was also a licensed realtor in both Massachusetts and Connecticut working for Carlson and Coldwell Banker.

She was very active within her community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Head Injury Association, as a Corporator of the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, as a member of the Holyoke Rotary Club and Quota International, Inc., and as an Ombudsman for Elder Affairs. She volunteered for Loaves and Fishes serving and preparing meals and served as a Deacon at the First Church of Christ in Longmeadow.

Music played a huge part of Linda's life as she played the piano and sang in many choirs throughout the area including being a member of the Western Massachusetts Choir, multiple church choirs, the New Valley Singers, and was one of the fabulous ladies of the back row in the Dan Kane Singers. She was an inspiration to all that knew her as she fought through the challenges in her life with a smile on her face, an unbelievable sense of humor and a spirit and presence that was as bright as the sun.

Besides her husband, Bud, she leaves a daughter, Candace Forsman of Suffield; two grandchildren, Adriana and Luke, one furry granddog, Abby and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by four siblings, Grace Goehring, Marlene Wagner, Richard Wagner and Leonard Wagner.

Her family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 from 4-7 PM at Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. N.(Rt. 159), Suffield. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 11:30 AM, at First Church of Christ, Congregational, Suffield, 81 High St., Suffield. Burial will be in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: First Church of Christ Congregational, Suffield, 81 High St., Suffield, CT 06078 or to Home & Community Health Services, P.O. Box 1199, Enfield, CT 06082.