Thelma Irene Forwood

Thelma Irene Forwood, 88, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana. Thelma was born Thelma Irene Moses (later in life affectionately earning the nickname “Timmy”) on February 21, 1934, to Thomas and Hazel Moses, the youngest of six children.

Thelma grew up in Anaconda and graduated from Anaconda High School in 1952. Thelma married her high school sweetheart Edward Forwood in 1957 and the couple had three daughters – Natalie, Sandra, and Kathie. Thelma was a stay-at-home mom until she and Ed purchased H&R Block and later purchased Pad N Pencil. Ed and Thelma worked both businesses side-by-side, eventually selling Pad N Pencil to their youngest daughter, Kathie.

When she wasn’t working at the tax office or behind the counter at PNP, Thelma, Ed, and the girls could be found camping every summer and skiing every winter. Thelma loved to golf, and she and Ed thoroughly enjoyed many years of traveling the Pacific Northwest on their Gold Wing motorcycle with their best friends Gene and Noreen Vuckovich.

Thelma was the ultimate party hostess, from the annual Forwood Christmas Eve party to summer get togethers at the cabin with all her children, grandchildren, and many friends. Thelma’s laugh could fill a room. Her 5’4” frame was packed full of sass and the ability to crack a joke at any time. She truly never met a stranger, and she could (and did) carry on a conversation with everyone she encountered.

After retiring and selling their businesses, Thelma enjoyed volunteering at the front desk of Community Hospital of Anaconda and at the Food Bank. Thelma never missed an opportunity to spend time with her six grandchildren. She relished becoming “GG” to three great grandsons.

Thelma is survived by her daughters, Kathie and Duane Smith, Sandra and Rick Streib, and Natalie and Kevin Raichl; grandchildren, Kramer and Jordan Smith, Morgan Smith and Mike Dayton, EJ Streib, Tim Streib and Mariah Whetter, Marissa Streib and Jory Olsen, and Colton and Ceci Raichl; great-grandchildren, Bridger Smith, Gunner Smith, and Parker Streib; in-laws, Bill and Linda Forwood and Larry Ford; and many nieces and nephews. 

Thelma is preceded in death by her loving husband Edward Forwood, her parents, and her siblings: Tom, Parley, Art, Wilbur, and Joyce.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home, 107 Oak St., Anaconda. A graveside service will follow at Sunset Memorial Park on Crackerville Rd. in Silver Bow County. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held at the Anaconda Country Club, 1521 Country Club Rd., Anaconda. Memorials in honor of Thelma are suggested to the Anaconda Community Foundation - 118 E Seventh St; Ste 3F, Anaconda, MT 59711, or to the  Anaconda Food Bank – 301 E. Park St., Room 305, Anaconda, MT 59711.

Please below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Thelma.