The Rev. Jean L. Getchell-Forbes passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at her residence. She was the beloved wife of 27 years to Maynard C. Forbes of Concord.  She is survived by her children, Hilary Anne Curtis-Osmer of Ayer, and Hans Peter Kahn Curtis of Acton.  She was predeceased by her son Christopher Michael Curtis, II.  Devoted stepmother of Scott , Steven, Peter and Andrew, her sister Nancy Martinson of IN, her adored grandchildren, great-granddaughter, niece and nephew.

Born in  Maine, she attended the Waynflete School in Portland, ME, graduated from Cornell University and studied for a brief period at Columbia University.  She married C. Michael Curtis and after college they moved to the Boston area and raised three children. During this period Jean was an active writer with articles in Boston Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens and the Boston Globe. She also was the author of "A Parents Guide to Nursery Schools" and "Working Mothers"

In 1977 she had a conversion which lead to her attendance at Andover Newton Theological School. Finishing there she was ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) at the Old South Church in Boston where she served as the first woman associate minister until 1982.  Jean was called to the West Concord Union Church in 1982 where she served as the senior pastor for ten years.  During this time she was active in the boards of Andover Newton and the Massachusetts Conference UCC.  Her skill in writing led to many an interesting and thought provoking sermon. One of the main events during her time in West Concord was a major renovation of the church. In 1991 she directed the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the church and coordinated the writing of a history of the church in its first 100 years with William Bailey. In 1992, Jean retired from the active ministry. Her marriage to Maynard Forbes in 1992 started a new phase in her life. She enjoyed painting, cooking, grandchildren, her passion for bridge, and she taught herself wet felting. In early 2011 paralyzed her left side, the stroke confined her to a wheelchair but did not affect her mind or ability to talk. The death of her son Christopher, brought her back to West Concord where she lived these past six years.

Family and friends gathered to honor and remember Jean on Friday, June 14, 2019 in the parlor of the West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main St., West Concord. Her funeral service was held in the church on Saturday, June 15 at 11:00 am. Interment Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord.

Donations in her name may be made to: 
West Concord Union Church 
1317 Main Street 
Concord, MA 01742. 

To read more:  http://concordfuneral.tributes.com/obituary/show/Jean-L.-Getchell-Forbes-107191296