In Memoriam
FAYMOUS FORREST
by Kateri Nelson
With a birth name like Faymous, he was destined to be a celebrity. And he was in some way; everyone in Livingston knew Faymous Forrest Woodward. Even if you had never engaged him in conversation, you probably knew him at least by his hat: he always had it on, and it was always the same one.
Forrest would be standing outside the Senior Center where he had resided for the last 19 years, smoking a cigarette or two, usually staring at the ground, not talking to anyone, avoiding eye contact with passersby. Probably deaf from a very young age, Forrest’s speech was also difficult to understand so he pretty much kept to himself, as if he was trying to be invisible.
Occasionally he would grab a broom and sweep the sidewalk to remain active. If you thanked him, he would look at you with the biggest smile and a twinkle in his eye – under the familiar hat, there was a great guy trapped in a world of silence.
Born in Granville, Vermont, Faymous Forrest was the youngest of five children. His father was Earl Raymond Woodward , from Warren, Vermont, and his mother was Verna Virginia Dixon from Harlan, Kentucky. Forrest’s dad was buried in Bozeman in 1976.
And now you know a little more about Forrest Woodward, about the man who passed on February 16 at the age of 79. He was not just anyone: he was Faymous.
Forrest Woodward
1942-2022
TANTINE MARIE
by Gilles and Anne-Marie Daven
_JPG.jpg)
Marie Josette Daven
1925-2022
"Marie Josette Daven was born in Daillon, in Valais - a canton of Switzerland - on February 13, 1925. She was the daughter of Florian and Julie Daven, the fourth child of seven. Always looking for adventures, Marie decided to move to America in 1951. She lived in New York City for 20 years, then in Los Angeles for 20 years, before retiring to Montana where the landscape reminded her of her native Valais.
She lived in Livingston for more than 30 years and always kept in contact through letters with her brother Bernard and her little sister Therese. She also kept in touch with some of her 16 nephews and nieces including Gilles, her godson, who kept writing to his aunt Marie after his father Bernard passed away. Marie is survived by her sister Therese, and by many nephews and nieces."
Marie wanted her ashes to be scattered on the Yellowstone so recently her nephew Gilles and his wife Anne-Marie came to Livingston from Switzerland to fulfill Marie's wish. It was a cold and cloudy day, but the sun came out just as Marie Josette's ashes were gracefully going down the river. Bon voyage Mademoiselle!