Wanza Carline (Hudson) Forsythe, 95, of Marion, OH and Jensen Beach, FL, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at her home in Florida.
Wanza was born on August 24, 1915 in Harrison Township, Logan County, OH, a daughter of the late James Lewis and Pearl Augusta (Kaylor) Hudson.
She was a 1933 graduate of Bellefontaine High School, Bellefontaine, OH and married Lewis Edward (Jock) Forsythe (a decorated WWII Veteran) on June 25, 1933 in Covington, KY. In 1950, they moved to Marion where she lived for over sixty years. Wanza was a dedicated mother, administrative assistant and homemaker.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion and was honored in 2007 with other parishioners marking their 50th anniversary of membership. Wanza particularly enjoyed her service as a docent at the Wyandot Popcorn Museum in Marion and was recognized in 2005 by the Marion County Historical Society for "Outstanding Volunteerism".
Wanza was an earnest tennis player and participated in the Marion Women's Tennis Association. Her tennis activities spanned over forty years, mentoring young players along the way. She was known as the “Lob Queen”, playing in both morning and night leagues and was always willing to host vodka tonic refreshers after a hot night on the tennis courts. Upon her retirement from the game, she received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Marion Women’s Tennis Association. In addition to tennis, Wanza could be seen biking for miles a day through the Marion Cemetery or around Jensen Beach and Hutchinson Island, FL. Her grandchildren gave her a bicycle odometer for Christmas one year with which she proudly recorded over 10,000 miles.
She is survived by her grandchildren James Hudson Forsythe (Jennifer), Alison Gray Forsythe and Ann Crittenden-Lewis Forsythe; four great grandchildren; one great great grandson and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Jock, and her son, James Lewis Forsythe, preceded her in death.
Wanza’s family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011 at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger and Snyder Funeral Home, 360 East Center Street, Marion. Funeral services honoring her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church, 143 South Prospect Street, Marion with Rev. Rob Howard officiating. Interment will follow at Marion Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon hosted by the Women of the First Presbyterian Church in the fellowship hall immediately following the burial. For her Florida friends, a memorial service will be held in Ocean Breeze Park, Jensen Beach, FL later this year.
Donations in memory of Wanza may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Marion, OH or the Marion County Historical Society, Marion, OH. Condolences may be expressed to her family online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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