Carol A. (Armstrong) Forbes

Carol A. (Armstrong) Forbes, of Watertown, died Tuesday, April 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 90.

Carol was born in Dorchester on January 27, 1936, daughter of the late Charles A. and Anna P. (Laracy) Armstrong. She grew up in Brighton, the youngest of 3 children. She was a graduate of Presentation High School and Wyndham Secretarial School. Following her graduation from Wyndham she worked for the Chief of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center.

She traded the work life for her true vocation as the best wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was set up on a blind date by her bowling partner and unbeknownst to her, her future mother-in-law. Needless to say, the blind date went well and on September 19, 1959, she married the love of her life, the late Francis Xavier Forbes. She later shared it was the best day of her life. It was the start of a loving 66-year marriage. They shared a beautiful, busy life together surrounded by their 7 children and spouses, 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Carol had the intangible gift of making all whose lives she touched feel like they were the most important person in the world. There was never a place where she didn’t make a new friend. She was also known for her world-famous brownies, leaving a lasting impression on all who were lucky enough to enjoy them. She always said it was the special baking dish she used, but we knew better.

Carol never got her driver’s license, however, she served as our trusted navigator (literally and figuratively). She loved reading and sewing and enjoyed being outside. She could always be found taking her grandchildren on nature walks in search of squirrels. To this day, her grandchildren speak of those walks fondly.

In a world where grand gestures of kindness are touted, Carol demonstrated kindness each and every day of her life… it was a natural extension of her personality.

She leaves her children, Anne Fantasia and her husband, Anthony, of Watertown, Peter Forbes and his wife, Suzanne, of Waltham, Mary Kiley and her husband, John, of Falmouth, Kathleen McNamara and her husband, James, of Clinton, John Forbes and his wife, Amy, of Clinton, Maureen Burge and her husband, Edward, of Salem, and Carol MacDonald and her husband, Hugh, of Westford; her grandchildren, Jennifer Fantasia, Anthony Fantasia, Michael Fantasia and his wife, Krista, Peter Forbes, Julia Forbes, Mary Forbes, Adrian Forbes, Colin Kiley, Brendan Kiley and his wife, Madeline, Jack Kiley, Caroline Kiley, Alexandra McNamara, Austin McNamara, Jared Forbes, Jessica Forbes, Chloe Burge, Lachlan MacDonald, Malcolm MacDonald, and Ainsley MacDonald; her great-grandchildren, Michael Fantasia, Joseph Fantasia, and Francis Kiley; her brother-in law and sister-in law, Kevin P. Forbes and Mary E. Forbes, both of Watertown and many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was the sister of the late Charles A. Armstrong Jr. and Sr. Charles Patricia Armstrong, DC; daughter-in-law of the late Elizabeth (Quin) and Peter Forbes and sister-in-law to the late Angela Forbes and Claire and Edmund Forbes.

Family and friends will honor and remember Carol’s life by gathering for an Afternoon Wake from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 19th in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick’s Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. A private burial will take place in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Watertown on Tuesday, April 21st.

To view a broadcast of Carol's Funeral Mass please visit please visit www.harborview.live at 10 a.m. on Monday morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s memory may be made to Boston Catholic Television, 34 Chestnut Street, P.O. Box 9196 Watertown, MA 02471 or at https://www.catholictv.org/.