Margaret M. (Bloomenthal) Forst

Margaret Mary (“Peg”) Forst of West Chester passed away on February 1, 2025, in the company of loving family and just four days shy of her 99th birthday.

Peg was born and raised in West Philadelphia, the only child  of Edward and Margaret Bloomenthal.  Following her mother’s death when Peg was just five, Edward remarried to Grace who adopted Peg and raised her as her own, the lone child in the household.  Peg also enjoyed the loving lifetime support of her aunt and uncle, Helen and Bart.  Together with her parents, Helen and Bart played an integral part not only in Peg’s childhood but also in her adult life and the lives of her children. 

Peg was a proud graduate of West Philadelphia High School for Girls and then Chestnut Hill College where she majored in Psychology.  She remained a life-long learner who read widely and was versed in history, world culture, current events, and foreign lands.  She often said that her dream job was to be an archeologist excavating at ancient sites in the middle east.  Instead, to provide for 4 children as a single parent, Peg briefly taught school and then worked in the trust department for Continental Bank until her retirement. 

At Continental Bank, Peg was entrusted with the most secure trust assets due to her meticulousness and organizational skill.  She used those same talents to juggle work and taking care of four children and a twin home in Havertown.  Despite the mischievousness of 3 rambunctious sons, and a daughter under their questionable influence, Peg managed to keep her home in pristine order and to keep all the children in line.  This meant long days at work followed by longer evenings at home, making meals, overseeing homework, sewing clothes, and keeping house.  Peg did all this lovingly and without complaint, leaning for support on Edward, Grace, Helen and Bart who now lived right around the corner.

By natural inclination as well as circumstance, Peg was a strong, independent woman.  She was small in stature, but big in self-confidence and determination.  In  her quiet but assured way she lived a life demonstrating that there are no bounds to a woman’s abilities.

When her children were raised and out the door, Peg moved to West Chester where she had more time to enjoy reading, birdwatching, and baking cookies, while still keeping tabs on her children and grandchildren.  She also was finally able to travel.  She took trips all over Europe and to Africa as well as Alaska and  other US locations.  She often traveled with her great friend Jean Grahill, a pal from infancy.  Peg and Jean were part of a group of ladies who called themselves “the Sorority”.  The Sorority stayed in close touch and met monthly for decades to socialize in their respective homes, gab about life, and bolster each other.  They started when they were young and continued, remarkably, into their 90s.   The Sorority friendships were deep and meaningful.  Peg was the last of the Sorority.

Peg leaves behind three sons Robert, Mark, Paul (Kathleen), a daughter, Renee Mezzanotte (John),  8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren, all of whom will miss her greatly.  

A Catholic Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday February 8, 2025 at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul 1325 Boot Road, West Chester PA 19380 starting at 11:00 AM with visitation beforehand beginning at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations by check may be made to Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, Convent Of Divine Love, 2212 Green Street, Philadelphia PA 19130-3197.