Marie F Rambo
Marie Forster was born March 18,1903 to Philip Forster, from Alsace Lorraine and Eleanor Lydia Spirek, from Bohemia. Marie grew up in a family of twelve children. Seven of the children were older than she. Marie was the oldest girl with two girls in the family Marie married Harrison B Rambo in the 1920’s. On August 17, 1928, Marie had her first child, Frank Rambo. She did not have her second child, Marlene Elizabeth Rambo, until November of 1934. Besides raising her two children, Marie was also learning how to deal with her husband’s diabetes.
Harrison died on October 10, 1951 from complications from his diabetes. By this time, Marlene was also in and out of mental hospitals. Marlene married Harry Martin and had her first child, Marbeth Ann Martin, on September 17, 1953. On February 11, 1955, Diana Lee Martin was born. When Marlene was hospitalized, Marie would watch her grandchildren because it was hard for Harry to work and raise two toddlers by himself.
During this time, Marie realized that she wanted to continue her education and, because wanting to help others had always been one of the main focuses in her life, she decided to become a nurse. Marlene and Harry had another child Harry David Sweinhart on January 17, 1957. When David was 6 months old, Marlene was placed again in the hospital and signed her power of attorney over to Marie in case something was needed for the children. Knowing that when she started working that she would be unable to give the care she felt the children needed, Marie decided to put Marbeth and Diana into an orphanage. David was put into a foster home which adopted him shortly afterwards.
Marie was the major factor in getting her grandchildren adopted by the same family. Even after the children were adopted, Marie would often visit them and have them to her home for short vacations when allowed. One of Marie’s pleasures in life when she had the free time was to watch baseball games. It was the one time when she was seen watching television. She was a symbol of strength and courage and in many ways a survivor.
Marie was hospitalized in December 1977 because of a broken hip. While there Marie Forster Rambo had several heart attacks and died Dec 25, 1977. She has been missed by all who knew her.
To read another story about my grandmother, please click on Christmas Present.
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