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Obituary of Professor Christine L. Forde
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ROCHESTER, NY – January 12, 2024
Christine L. Forde—affectionately known as “Mother,” “Nana,” “Auntie Chris,” and “Professor Forde”—was born on April 30, 1935, in Boston, Georgia to sharecropper parents. As a child, she loved to learn and read. She graduated as valedictorian in 1953 from Crooms Academy in Sanford, Florida.
Upon graduation and due to limited opportunities in Florida, she moved to Rochester, New York, and worked at Bond Clothes making men’s clothing. After 17 years at Bond Clothes, she became employed at Eastman Kodak Company as a Key Punch Operator. While working during the day, she attended college at night
earning an associate’s degree at Monroe Community College (MCC) and a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree with high honors in Information Technology at the prestigious Rochester Institute of Technology.
After retiring from Eastman Kodak Company as a Systems Analyst, she continued as a professor at MCC. She later retired as the Chairperson of the Information and Computer Technologies Department. She loved working and teaching at MCC. She never missed a workday and kept working until she was 82 years old.
Christine was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved flowers, politics, spending time with family, shopping, reading home décor magazines, and watching plays at the GEVA theater.
Christine passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at the age of 89. She is predeceased by her parents, Louise Gibson and Willie J. Lott; and her siblings, Willie, Ernestine, and Joseph Lott. She leaves to mourn her passing: her daughters, Gail Johnson and Pamela Francis; sister, Brenda Lott; brother, Thomas (Ken) Sarkis; granddaughters, Mia and Stephanie Johnson; grandsons, Charles, Chaz, and Chase Francis; and a host of other relatives.
Friends may call Saturday, January 18 from 10-11AM at Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee Street, Rochester, NY. The Funeral Service to Celebrate her life will immediately follow with Rev. Robert Miller, officiating. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Professor Christine Forde, please visit Tribute Store
Saturday
18
January
Final Resting Place
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Mt. Hope Cemetery
1133 Mt. Hope Ave.
Rochester, New York, United States
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Saturday
18
January
Visitation at Main Service
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Aenon Baptist Church
175 Genesee Street
Rochester, New York, United States
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Saturday
18
January
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Aenon Baptist Church
175 Genesee Street
Rochester, New York, United States
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Professor Christine Forde
1935 - 2025
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