Beverly Anderson Forbes

Bev was born March 18, 1936 and died April 2, 2013 in Blaine, Washington. She was a graduate of Blaine High School and received her BS in physical education from Washington State University. After a successful teaching career she received her masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington. Bev was a central office administrator in the Renton School district and then went on to become an Associate Professor in the Doctoral Program of Educational Leadership at Seattle University. While there she became a nationally recognized theorist and speaker in the area of women and leadership and developed the Theory F Transformational Leadership Model. In conjunction with her pioneering leadership work, she designed and taught a popular graduate course on Women as Transformational Leaders and created a community educational program focusing on transformational leadership. Known as Leadership Synthesis, it motivated and sustained hundreds of women and men in the greater Seattle area for nine years through monthly breakfast meetings and newsletter. During her Seattle University years, in the late 1980s and 1990s, Bev was the recipient of several awards given to outstanding women leaders in the Seattle area and was a respected mentor for both women and men. Following her retirement from Seattle University, Bev became an independent scholar whose studies focused primarily on theology and spirituality. In 2002 Bev was one of three national recipients of a Margaret Fuller Award presented by the Unitarian Universality Womens Federation which enabled her to pursue an in depth study of the work of Unitarian poet and author, May Sarton. Through this grant she developed seminars and resource booklets to make Sartons work and wisdom more accessible and further feminist and Unitarian values. Bev was known for her service to others, her deep connection to family, her enduring friendships, her love of animals, her deep spirituality, and her commitment to her Unitarian faith. Her compassion, sense of justice and dedication to an interdependent society and world informed her life. Bev was very proud of her Icelandic heritage and taught her friends how to sing Silent Night in Icelandic, so she could hear it each Christmas. Bev is survived by her best friend, partner, and husband, Ken, and her sisters Arlene Anderson; Joan Gebhardt; twin sister Audrey Block (Jim); and Judy Dunster (Gary). Three generations of nieces and nephews of the Anderson family will greatly miss their Aunt Bev, as will an extended family of friends. She will be missed for her love, her advice, her deep spiritual nature and her sense of humor. She was a role model for many in how to live a balanced and integrated life in service to others. Farewell Tribute Information Two memorial celebrations will be held in order to accommodate the many people who loved Bev. The first, a Memorial Service, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Free Church Unitarian, Blaine. The second will be an Afternoon of Remembrance at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue. All are welcome at both celebrations. Donations Information In lieu of lowers you may give memorial gifts to Free Church Unitarian in Blaine, WA; East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA; or your local Humane Society.

Beverly Anderson Forbes

March 18, 1936 - April 2, 2013