Karyn P Forbes

Karyn Plumley Forbes of Barrington, NH, daughter of Anne (MacKenney) Plumley and the late Harold Plumley, passed away on Friday, November 8th after a long journey with cancer. A graduate of Rivier College and Franklin Pierce Law School, Karyn enjoyed the practice of law with Shaheen and Gordon Law for more than thirty years. Karyn's former law partner noted, "her clients adored her, from farmers to daycare owners, to builders, to island owners." She connected with her clients as humans first, which explains a large part of her love for the law. Individual clients and their cases challenged her to understand and to grow, and for Karyn, the only thing more important than constant learning and growing was loving her family.

Karyn and her husband, Dan, were married for 43 years. Together, they had three beautiful daughters: Kelsey Forbes of Strafford, NH, Molly Corbett of Marblehead, MA, and Allie Duggan of Dedham, MA. The sisters, in turn, gave Karyn and Dan seven beloved grandchildren: Jake, Sophie, Henry, Claire, MacKenney, Maeve and Millie. Karyn had to be strong and determined to succeed in a male dominated legal field, and she channeled that forcefulness into her role as mother. While she encouraged her daughters to find their own path in life, she ensured that they knew their own worth and potential, and prepared them to reject any arbitrary obstacles that stood in their way. She was a mom who always took time to know her kid's friends even if some were a bit intimidated by her. But, like everyone else, they grew to love Karyn and value her good advice and positive nature. Karyn's drive led her and Dan to develop beautiful gardens at their home, and the bees and hummingbirds that were drawn to the flowers gave her tremendous joy and peace.

There is no question that Karyn saved her best self for her role as Nana. Winning the hearts of her grandchildren was her mission, and Karyn rarely failed in the pursuit of a mission. She understood the unique interests and tastes of each grandchild, and she spent hours planning things that would make them happy. All of the forcefulness and fearlessness that were once directed at her courtroom opposition was gone. Nana was all hugs, good food, fun vacations and searching the internet with the grandkids for new toys and recipes. 

Not surprisingly, Karyn faced her cancer diagnosis with her heart and intellect on full display. Family gatherings and vacations over the past four years brought her daughters and their families closer together, so that they might support each other more fully after she was gone. Friends brought her joy, and her loving husband Dan helped her to maintain a full life, even as obstacles arose as the illness progressed. Dan's mother Mary always referred to Karyn and Dan as soulmates, and that is how they traveled through life together up to the end. 

To her final days, Karyn lived her life in a manner worthy of emulation; understand your world through learning, connect with those around you through caring, and always strive to be lovable to the children in your life.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life for late spring. Memorial donations in her name can be given to the International Rescue Committee, an organization that helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. A link to donate can be found at: https://help.rescue.org/donate.