Shannon Forbes

Shannon Forbes

Shannon Forbes was born to Walter and Virginia Simms Forbes on November 17, 1946 in Golden, Colorado where Walt attended the School of Mines.  While Walt was busy working and studying, Ginny would walk to the library every day with Shannon. As a result, Shannon learned to read at age 3, which unleashed her insatiable curiosity and intellect.

After Walt graduated, the family moved to Long Beach, California where he began his career in petroleum engineering, and eventually transferred to Casper, Wyoming.  Soon Shannon was joined by her sisters, Heather and Kerry.

Shannon attended Willard and McKinley primary schools, Dean Morgan Junior High, and Natrona County High School graduating in 1965.  She was a National Merit Scholarship finalist, and went to college at the University of Southern California at Santa Barbara majoring in Asian Studies. In later years, she was able to travel to China where she could practice her Mandarin.

Shannon always loved the endless summer of southern California, and eventually moved to Topanga Canyon with David Briggs as he pursued his career in the music industry. During that time, Shannon became friends with many musicians as Dave produced their albums. On December 26, 1969, they celebrated the birth of their son, Lincoln Wyatt Briggs.

After experiencing fires, floods and earthquakes, Shannon returned to Wyoming, living in Sheridan and then finally settling in Casper. Along the way she developed many close friendships, especially through her love of music.

Shannon was a tender and loving soul, caring for her mother after Walter passed away and assisting Ginny to live at home until her death. She was fortunate to find love again in her companion Jay DeWitt.   She loved her time with him, especially when they spent winters in Lake Havasu where they would attend weekly car shows and entertain people who would come to visit.

A consummate life-long learner, Shannon’s interest ranged from history and science to music and the arts which allowed her to converse on any subject.

At age 60 she returned to school at Casper College and began writing for the Chinook. She penned the award winning Blast from the Past history column which also appeared in the Casper Journal.

Shannon’s colorful fashion and artwork always brought her joy. She dabbled in a variety of medium and some of her stained glass designs are still enjoyed in various businesses around Casper. She was never without the means of creating her artwork, often presenting her heartfelt drawings as a memento of her love.  She especially enjoyed encouraging children to express their creativity, and would often be found drawing and visiting with them at any family gathering.

Her love of music led her to some of her most cherished friendships and she never missed a gig, always staying until the last note. She loved to play the piano and often shared her medleys at the Metro coffee shop. Her deepest musical joys were playing the on the Steinway grand piano of her childhood and listening to her son play guitar.

Shannon shed her earthly bonds and began her new adventure, one with the universe, on May 4, 2020 in Casper, Wyoming. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Kerry Forbes, and brother-in-law, Kelvin Huber. She is survived by her son Lincoln of Los Angeles, California and her sister Heather Forbes Huber of Casper, Wyoming, brother-in-law Joe Levi, Denver, Colorado, nieces and nephews Trisha Frost Butcher (Jesse), Justin Frost (Hilary Hockema), Cass Huber (Hannah), Jared Huber (Tia), Denise Huber, Tyronne Young (Kerra), Micah Levi, Scott Levi, and many dearly loved cousins and treasured friends.

On her last birthday she wrote: “My heart is full of gratitude for the life I'm living now and the love of sisters and friends that lifts me up and helps me see the Way of Change as it unfolds before us all, with a great soundtrack to boot! I find that 73 years of casting my shadow on God's Green Earth is endlessly fascinating. Enough so, that I look forward to the next 73. I have faith enough in the Universe to wake up every morning and say to the sky, ‘Surprise me.... and thank you!’  Love, Shannon”

Donations to the Casper Humane Society would be appreciated by the family. A celebratory Jam Session will be held to honor her memory in the future.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Avenue, Casper, WY 82601.