LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Irma Joyce Forsyth, who had been a noted and well known and loved real estate appraiser in Lake County, of the firm Forsyth & Forsyth, passed away quietly and peacefully in her beautiful lakefront home after a gradual decline from Alzheimer’s on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the age of 84.

Irma made many friends in the community through her business and was well respected for the work that she did with integrity and honesty.

In 1979 Irma was awarded the R.M. designation by the Governing Council of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. Along with her husband Earl, she was an M.A.I. member of this Institute.

Irma is survived by a sister, Marilyn Biggs; her second son, Randall Forsyth; a daughter, Pamela Forsyth; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Her first and only husband, Earl Forsyth, passed away in 2007 and her eldest son Glenn Forsyth in 2012.

Irma is one of three daughters of a German immigrant, William Bauman, who entered Ellis Island during the depression in the 1930s.

William hopped a freight train out West to meet with other family members and begin his new life in Seattle, Wash.

Irma met her only husband Earl who worked for New York Life Insurance Co. there. They married in 1950 and began a family in Seattle where they had their first child, Glenn.

Earl’s profession demanded many relocations and he soon was transferred to the office in Atlanta, Georgia, where their second son Randall was born. He returned to the home office in New York where their third child Pamela was born. Earl transferred to San Francisco in 1962 after being promoted to vice president of New York Life.

In 1971 the family moved to Palos Verdes in Southern California. Earl retired in 1975 and moved to Lake County to establish a real estate appraising business with Irma.

After assisting her in setting up the business, he once again retired and Irma took the reins to build it into a successful appraising business which she ran for 30 years before retiring herself.

Up until the end, Irma maintained her wonderful captivating wit and charm. Even in her last week she had her son and caretakers and friends laughing hysterically, as her condition could not contain her charm and humor.

It was difficult for her to smile and laugh but laugh and joke she did and always brought joy to those around her. She was always graceful, entertaining, refined and generous without condition to whoever crossed her path.

Her favorite thing in life was family and she organized many family reunions and get-togethers over her active years, with family ranging from California to Washington to Colorado and even extended herself to family that had been freed from behind the iron curtain in Germany, who she both visited in Germany and invited to visit here.

Irma spoke often of her love for the Lord Jesus Christ and not only spoke of her faith but lived it as she counseled those in grief or pain. She was an example and inspiration to so many.

In her declining years Irma reverted many times to her childhood with the mother who saved her from polio with her love and therapy, and to her father Willy with whom she spent time in her home on Bainbridge Island in Washington during the years of the Great Depression.

She spoke of the times that she would wait for her father to come home from work on the ferry that serviced the island and often reverted to this time that was so close to her heart.

Irma now goes to join her family in heaven, those who went before her, all of whom loved the Lord Jesus Christ and have gone to be with Him eternally.

We love you Irma! Fly free as the butterfly that you always wanted to be. You have been a blessing and joy to all those who surrounded you. Thank you for the opportunity to care for you and be close to your loving heart, a gift beyond measure.

A private memorial service was held in her home for those who remained faithful and loyal to her until the end.

Donations may be made in honor of this fine lady to Hospice Services of Lake County, http://www.lakecountyhospice.org/donate/ , a wonderful organization of caring people who were instrumental in this transition, providing comfort education and care both to her and to those who cared for her and loved her, or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.