Eleanor Ann Forbes

Ms. Eleanor Ann Forbes, 95, died August 8, 2024, at Brookdale Senior Living in Chapel Hill, NC. Born January 14, 1929, in Jacksonville, Florida, she was the daughter of the late Robert Walter and Grace Howell Forbes. She had been a North Carolina resident since 1953. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her very dear friend Doris Griffin, and her cousin Jamie B. Welch of Florida. Survivors include several special cousins and their families: Mary Lloyd Toler of Texas, Julia Ann Howell of Florida, Pamela R. Hildenbrand and Stephen L. Root of Maryland. Also surviving are very dear friends, Fred Ibberson and Michael Walsnovich of Durham; and the families of Kim Griffin, Ted Griffin, and Ned Griffin of Durham; Sarah Pearson of Asheville and Stan Sherman of Wilmington.

Eleanor attended Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida; Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of her studies at Temple, she joined the faculty of the School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she taught in the dental hygiene program for 36 years. She served as the director of that program for 11 years. She was active in state and national dental hygiene associations, dental education organizations and, for a number of years, served as an associate editor of the National Dental Hygiene Journal. She served as national president of the Dental Hygiene Honor Society, Sigma Phi Alpha, and was honored by Temple University as an outstanding alumna.

After retirement in 1989, she became a volunteer in the Cancer Patient Support Program at Duke University Medical Center and continued that affiliation until 2016. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church where she was active in the Martha Society, serving as co-chairperson for several years. Beyond her professional interest, friends will remember Eleanor for her love of travel; sports; Carolina, especially Tar Heel football and basketball; and her pets; the Dalmatians, the Whippets and Mr. Cat.

A private graveside service will be held in Statesboro, Georgia. Suggestions for memorial contributions are: Methodist Home for Children Foundation https://www.mhfc.org/donate/, 1041 Washington St., Raleigh, NC 27605-1259; Animal Protection Society of Durham, https://www.apsofdurham.org/how-you-can-help/donate/ , 2117 E. Club Blvd., Durham, NC 27704; or a charity of one’s choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Carolina Club (George Watts Hill Alumni Center @ UNC-Chapel Hill) on Thursday, September 12th, from 4 PM – 6:30 PM. Please RSVP to: emmy818@gmail.com by Monday, September 2nd.