Mary Malissa Forbes

Mary Malissa Forbes, 72, of Parsons, peacefully passed away the afternoon of Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at her home after a six-year battle with amyloidosis.

Malissa was born on December 7, 1950, to John and Lelah (Gregg) Forbes in Parsons, Kansas.  She grew up and attended school in Parsons, graduating from St. Patrick High School in 1968.

For 33 years, Malissa worked at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center.

She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  A devoted mother, her greatest joy came from spending time with her children and grandchildren.

On August 22, 1969, Malissa and Bernard Westhoff were united in marriage.  The couple later divorced.  Malissa and Terry Payne were married on December 10, 2022.  He survives of the home.

Other survivors include:

One daughter – Melanie Sherwood (John) of La Harpe, Kansas

One son – Sean Westhoff of Parsons, Kansas

Two step-daughters – Jennifer Payne of Parsons, Kansas

Tiffany Payne of Parsons, Kansas

Six grandchildren – Kyle Leistikow (Monica) of Altoona, Kansas; Madison Cravens (Tyler) of Wichita, Kansas; Reece Minch of Parsons, Kansas; Ryleigh, Laney and Caden Forbes of Parsons, Kansas

Five great-grandchildren

Two brothers – Patrick Forbes of Pittsburg, Kansas

John Forbes of Naples, Florida

One sister-in-law – Evelyn Forbes of Grove, Oklahoma

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Mike Forbes; and two sisters-in-law, Frances and Carolyn Forbes.

The funeral Mass will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 21, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, with the rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m., at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Patrick Catholic Church Renovation Fund.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.