C. Madeline Forshey

C. Madeline Forshey, 68, of Bethlehem Pennsylvania, was called by, and is now in the loving arms of her Redeemer. She was known to family and friends by many names: Maddy, Mom, Grandma, Manue, Gan-Gan, and Grammy.

Born April 10, 1953 in Lewistown PA to Doris DeArment and Irvin Bailets, she is survived by her brothers: Sonny (Irvin Jr.) Bailets, Scott DeArment, Larry DeArment and her sister:  Kristie DeArment, and by her aunt and lifelong best friend Mary Confer, only five years her senior: they considered each other sisters.

She is also survived by her husband: Henry Forshey, her children: Tess McGowan; wife of Don McGowan, Henry Matthew Forshey; fiancé to Amanda Heinleim, Nicole Walters; wife of Ron Walters, and Jessica Lukitsch; wife of Dustin Lukitsch. She had 16 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was saved when she was only five years old, and the Gospel never landed on more fertile soil. Together as kids, Madeline and Sonny would walk to the local Baptist church and the Salvation Army for services and Communion. She continued always in her love and care of Sonny, as Jesus cared for them both.

Madeline married Henry Forshey on her fifteenth birthday, April 10th, 1968. They would go on to travel to Maryland, where she gave birth to Tess.  Madeline was baptized in the Ohio River in 1971.

The family moved to Virginia and Tennessee, and then to Pennsylvania, where they settled in Allentown at their home on North 20th St. This house was her favorite, and she transformed it into a paradise in the city. From that homebase, she would make it her mission to find every slice of joy in the Valley. Henry Matthew, Nicole, and Jessica were all born and raised in Allentown.

Only four years after Madeline had Jessica, Tess gave birth to Madeline's first grandchild. Her calling as a grandmother was assured, as her line continued to swell to include over 16 grandchildren with one on the way. Madeline made sure each one knew the message of God's unconditional love, both in word and by example.

For five years, the family would travel from Allentown to their beach house on Long Beach Island. Nearly every year after that, Madeline would take her family on a pilgrimage to her favorite vacation spot.

Madeline's career as a servant of Jesus to her family and friends was both accomplished and multifaceted. She was a prolific photographer and documentarian,  a patient and knowledgeable tour guide and travel agent, a librarian who gave free permanent loans, an excellent cook; in both times of plenty and in times of want, an effective medic, a loving counselor, a tasteful interior decorator, a talented gardener, a reliable taxi; even on short notice, a shopper and courier par excellànce, a faithful secretary ensuring a handwritten message each birthday, and she gave hugs whose echoes will bring comfort to her family forever.

She also volunteered at Good Shepherd and refused to ever take a paycheck there; even though she was offered one.

Madeline loved her life and everything and everyone in it. Even the insects invading her garden were a wonder to her, all part of God's plan and created by Him.

Sharing the fruits and spreading the seeds of the Gospel of Jesus was Madeline's greatest joy, and the love she showed to others continues as an enduring beacon pointing all who knew her toward the Savior. The abundance of His faithfulness to her was both as evident and as beautiful as the flowers in her garden each spring.

A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday at Schisler Funeral Home, 2119 Washington Ave. Northampton, Pennsylvania. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to service. Out of respect for the family, please wear a surgical or cloth mask while indoors at the service. Interment will follow in Nisky Hill Cemetery, Bethlehem, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Make a Wish Foundation in care of the funeral home.