Rose Ann (Scully) Forton

Rose Forton, 95, a lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at home in the company of her family. Rose was born July 2, 1928, in Union Township of Isabella County, Michigan, daughter of the late Robert and Anna (O'Hara) Scully. A graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in 1947, she married Clifford Forton on September 29, 1951, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Their marriage was blessed with seven children: Mary Jo, Kathryn, Antoinette, Robert, Karen, Richard, and Thomas. Rose was employed by Central Michigan University in food services for 25 years, retiring in 1990. Prior to that she had worked as a cashier for Kroger. Rose found great joy in keeping her house clean and her yard tidy. She looked forward to her weekly bus trips that she and her sisters shared when eating lunch. She enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers and volunteering her time on the funeral luncheon committee at Sacred Heart, where she was a lifelong member. Rose is survived by her children, Mary Jo Kennedy of Largo, FL, Kathryn (Mike) Lemanek of Weidman, Antoinette Raymond of Mt. Pleasant, Robert (Robbie Faye) Forton of Decator, AL, Richard (Carole) Forton of Alto, and Thomas (Mary) Forton of Dearborn; son in-law, Randy (Gail) Gumbert of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Jim Kennedy, Lee Ann (L.C.) Kennedy, Chet Raymond, Ann Marie (Keith) Rybak, Jill (Robert) Shalett, Keisha (Scott) Wicker, Jennifer (Oliver) Gumbert, Melissa Gumbert, Renee (Alan) Gumbert, Nate (Amanda) Forton, Lindsey (Shiv) Shah, Stephanie Forton, and Stacey (Devon) Mulry; great grandchildren, Ashley Kennedy, Marlia (Jesse) Warmack, Jared Kennedy, Lydia Kennedy, Tyler Rybak, Luke Rybak, Austin Rybak, Chase Rybak, Olivia Rybak, Stella Shalett, Anita Shalett, Clifton Jude Wicker, Eli Wicker, Nora Yared, Abigail Forton, Finely Forton, Naomi Shah, Bodhi Shah, and one expected in April; sister, Lucille Tilmann of Beal City; sister in-law, Ilene Scully of Rosebush; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Anna Scully; husband, Clifford Forton; daughter, Karen Gumbert; and siblings and in-laws, Edward and Edna Scully, Robert Scully and Esther Scully-Cotter, Mary and Fred Cole, Margaret and William Millard, William Scully, and Earl Tilmann. A Funeral Mass for Rose will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Father Jim Bessert will preside. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Monday from 4-7 p.m. with the Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday, one hour prior to Mass. Following Mass, she will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. All are invited to a luncheon at Lincoln Reception Center (attached to the funeral home). Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Foundation or to American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.