Caren Forte of Fairfield, NY, passed away peacefully following a brief illness on October 10, 2023, at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on February 27, 1957, in Little Falls, New York.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her beautiful smile, happy laugh, and sparkling blue eyes just lit up the room. She had a special fondness for children and especially enjoyed buying children’s clothing and distributing it to any in need. She will be remembered for her genuine love and concern for family and friends.
Caren was a graduate of Frankfort-Schuyler Central School. In March of 1973, she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and continued her dedicated service throughout her life. In June of 1976, she married the love of her life Francis “Frank” Forte. Together, they enjoyed attending a weekly program of Bible instruction and accompanying each other in their ministry to comfort and assist others in gaining a greater understanding of God’s Word. She also worked as a rural route carrier in Newport, NY, a position from which she retired in 2018.
Caren had a great appreciation for the natural world and enjoyed gardening, landscaping, and mowing. She regularly fed the songbirds (and squirrels) that frequented the feeder hanging from the maple tree that she herself planted. She adored her pets, most especially her little Schnoodle Roux.
She loved the ocean and family vacations to Cape Cod, Nantucket, Cape May, Virginia Beach, Ormond Beach, St. Augustine, and Sanibel Island. Closer to home, the family also enjoyed many adventures in the Adirondacks: hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing.
Caren is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Francis “Frank” J. Forte; four children, Andrea (James) Haworth of Wynantskill, NY, Christopher (Ayla) Forte of Sackets Harbor, NY, Jonathan Forte of Dolgeville, NY, and Julie Forte of Fairfield, NY; three beloved grandchildren, Leilani, Lochlainn and Jamison; five sisters, Carol Palumbo of Rome, NY, June (Ron) Yelle of Bristol, TN, Joan (David) O’Brien of Mohawk, NY; Kathleen Kennedy of Herkimer, NY, and Antonia Hubalek of Rome, NY; two brothers, Fred (Susie) Moore of Marion, NC, Dan (Tracy) Hubalek, Blountville, TN; beloved Aunt Maggie Denapole of Herkimer, NY; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Patti) Misterka of Fort Plain, NY, and Mark (Jill) Misterka of Ontario, NY; sister-in-law Kathleen (Dale) DeWolfe of Lake Luzerne, NY; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Jeanne Hubalek of Frankfort, NY; father- and mother-in-law Anthony “Tony” and Theresa “Tess” Misterka of Utica, NY; and her beloved sister Gail Johnson of Stratford, NY.
The family wishes to acknowledge the professional and compassionate care provided by Dr. Panayiotis Verelas and his staff at the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Albany Medical Center.
A special thanks to Jon Romano and the Albany Hospital Liaison Committee and visitation volunteers of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who provided daily emotional and spiritual guidance for Caren and her family and friends. We will aways cherish the love and support of our Fairfield friends.
All are invited to join with family and friends in attending her Memorial Service on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 585 Trenton Road, Utica, NY.