Mildred Fern Beattie Forrest

Mildred Fern Beattie Forrest, 105, went into the arms of the Lord on February 24, 2015 at Southern Vermont Medical Ctr. Bennington, surrounded by her loving family. Mildred, "Midge" was born September 15, 1909 to William and Charlotte (Bell) Beattie. She was the 12th child of a combined family of 17children. Midge gained notoriety at birth as she weighed only 2 pounds and was not expected to survive. She was kept warm in a shoe box by the wood stove and beat all the odds. Midge was educated in the Manchester schools and excelled as a student and even helped teach younger students. She was ill as a teen and unable to attend her commencement, but recently at age105, received her diploma from Burr & Burton Academy.Midge married the love of her life Edward Forrest on April Fool's day when she was 18. They were married for 62 years at the time of his passing in 1990. Together they raised a daughter and son and were considered Mom and Dad to many others that lived in their home.In addition to her being a wife, mother, nana and aunt, Midge was a homemaker, farmer, horsewoman, caretaker, bookkeeper, business woman, board member, and the ultimate hostess. For over thirty years, Midge managed the Pew house in Manchester Village. She was an avid gardener and could be seen caring for her lawn, flower beds, and vegetable garden until her last year. Recently, Midge was a consultant for several authors in the area. Survivors include her brother Bob Beattie of Peru, daughter Geraldine Collins and husband Floyd or Seneca Falls, NY, son David Forrest and former wife Jessie of Manchester, grandchildren Christopher Collins, Sheila Collins, Timothy and Becky Collins, Jim and Cindy Forrest, Heidi and Paul Shaffer, John Forrest, Bill and Kathy Forrest, Julie and Leland Saunders, fourteen great-grandchildren and eleven great-great grandchildren, niece and homecare aide Betty Forrest, and many nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.Interment will take place in the spring at Factory Point Cemetery in Manchester. Contributions in Midge's name can be made to the Manchester Rescue Squad or Zion Episcopal Church. Interment will take place in the spring at Factory Point Cemetery in Manchester.