Vale Francis Ruth Forbes

19 October 1959 – 21 October 2021

– Carolyn Shaw

Fran was born in NSW on 19 October 1959. Fran and her parents moved to Toowong in Queensland where she started school at St. Ignatius Catholic School and then went to All Hallows for her High School years. She then studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland where she passed with Honours.

Fran worked in the Health Sector and then later for Children’s Services with the Government.

She had both a love for horses (having had two horses when she was growing up) and of dogs. Fran later became involved in starting up the Greyhound Adoption Programme here in Brisbane and was very knowledgeable about a lot of breeds - having had many herself. When I first met Fran about 8.5 years ago she had a beautiful white greyhound called Bowie who won many accolades at dog shows but her true love lay with Italian Greyhounds.

I met Fran at an Italian Greyhound meet-up at a dog park at the Powerhouse on the Brisbane River. She came along with 3 Italian Greyhounds in tow and we became firm friends from that day.

Fran and I started an Italian Greyhound page on Facebook welcoming all newcomers who had a love or interest in the breed.

Fran was showing Gracie in the Neuter class and encouraged me to show our second Italian Greyhound Ignatiusbel Constance (Maxine). We would go to shows and have so much fun, meeting new people and then encouraging them into the show ring if they showed any interest.

Fran loved to cook and spent may hours cooking up Jams, Lemon Curd, Pickled Onions and more for the Toy Dog Club shows twice a year. For those of you who purchased her items you know these were made with love.

Fran also showed dogs for her friends with other breeds in the Toy Dog class and could often been seen trotting around the ring with a Pug or English Toy Terrier. She had a lot of fun at dog shows and was always happy to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.

She was happy to chat to lots of people and gain more knowledge about other breeds as well.

Fran will be missed by all those who knew her - she was quick with a laugh and will be missed at Durack.

Fran passed away on 21 October 2021 and is survived by her parents, her son Andrew and two brothers.