FORSYTH, Joanne (Dean) (Rackley) - b. July 28, 1936 - d. November 23, 2006

[Janet Harrington]

(Taken from the Flint Hills Express, Nov. 29, 2006, page 4)

Joanne Forsyth, 70, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at Midland Hospice Center in Topeka.

Joanne was born on July 28, 1936, to J. C. and Florence Dean in Lubbock, Tex.  She graduated from Lubbock High School in 1954 and married Rev. David Rackley in 1956.  Joanne and David had three children:  Patricia Ann, John David, and deana Carol.  Five years after David's death, Joanne married Kenneth Forsyth in 1971.  Ken bravely adopted Patti, John, and Deana shortly after.  Joanne and Ken had one child, Matthew Kent.

Joanne studied organ at Texas Tech University and Southern Methodist University and completed her Bachelor's of Music degree at Wichita State University.  She went on to complete her Master's of Music in Organ Performance at WSU.  Joanne served as accompanist for many groups including the Texas All-State Chior (while still a student in high school), Kansas All-State Choir, Topeka Festival Singers, and Wichita Chamber Chorale.  She most recently served as Director of Worship and Music at First Baptist Church in Wichita, from 1983-1988 and Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka, from 1991-2002.  Joanne and Ken lived and ministered through their gifts in music in the towns of Marion, Salina, McPherson, Winfield, Wichita, and Topeka.

Joanne is survived by her partner and best friend, Ken; four children: Patti and husband Tom, John and wife Deborah, Deana and husband Don, and Matt and wife Angel; seven grandchildren; Joel, Leann, Katie, Rebecca, Joy, Reid, and Abbie; brothers-and sisters-in-law: Leonard and wife Beth Rackley, Joe and wife Gloria Rackley, Paula Henry, Don and wife Dianna Forsyth, and Charles and wife Jodie Forsyth; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services were held Sunday, Nov. 26 with burial on Monday, Nov. 27 at Marion Cemetery in Marion.  The family suggests donation in Joanne's name to Midland Hospice, Topeka; Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka; or Valley United Methodist Church, Marion.  Funeral arrangements were handled by Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, Topeka.

(Ken Forsyth was a music teacher for Howard High School when Ms. T was a student there.  I believe that he left before I started coming to Howard to go to school which was then called North Elk High school.)