Tanya Katherine Forbes

Tanya Katherine Forbes, who was born January 2, 1970, wants to let you know that she is doing well, two-step hardcore dancing down the streets of heaven. Being the firstborn to Dr James Forbes and Elaine Randolph, she held the honor of making them parents, and with the birth of her two younger sisters and baby brother, Tanya was made the Big Sister to a ragtag group of hooligans.  This was a responsibility she managed in stride being levelheaded, patient, smart, loving, and kind. Family was very important to her, and her love and influences extended to her nieces and nephew as well.  Tanya raised her siblings and nieces to love sports, music, books, movies, and the theatre.  It’s guaranteed that her passions influenced many more outside her family as her gift of teaching English at Firebaugh High school made her a favorite teacher amongst students.  Tanya could talk about anything, and she was never at a loss for words or too tired for a good rant.  She was also one of those people who could get along with anyone. 

Tanya accomplished many amazing things that made her very admirable to those who knew her including but not limited to two master’s degrees and service as a Sergeant in the Army National Guard.  She was in all honesty one of the hardest working people you could meet: balancing multiple jobs when she was in college, interning at a sports network, and deejaying for a college radio station.  This work ethic was life long as she often took on additional responsibilities as an advisor for educational projects or running AVID and IB programs.  Her give-it-all attitude helped her students and those around her strive to be better versions of themselves.  

As of August 2, 2022 Tanya is enjoying her afterlife with her father James and bonus mom Peggy, and leaves behind her mom Elaine and bonus dad Jeff, sisters Sonia and Annisa, brother William, nieces Marissa and Heather, nephew AJ, and of course the love of her life who she waited so long for Matt, her pup Muggsy, and kitty MiBoo.  This list of course doesn’t begin to name all the others who also feel the loss of her radiant energy and smile. Tanya would want everyone to remember that while life has challenges to try to have PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) and there is always a reason for a pizza party but do not waste bites on the crust. XXX

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