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A Life Well Lived and a Thoughtful Plan
A life well lived and a thoughtful plan fortify the Forbush family legacy.
In Spring 2007, on the recommendation of her financial advisor, Barbara “Jinxie” Forbush walked into Community Foundation Executive Director Teri McNally’s office. She hoped to memorialize her husband Warren who had passed two years before. Jinxie told stories about meeting Warren, their 56-year marriage and a few of their adventures in Fredericksburg raising three daughters Sarah, Jane and Mary. Together, Teri and Jinxie drafted an agreement to establish the Forbush Family Legacy Fund.
Over the years, Jinxie recommended a variety of charitable gifts from her fund – to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, Friends of the Rappahannock, Fredericksburg Festival for the Performing Arts (now ArtsLive!) and many others. More recently, she gave through her fund to historic preservation programs at George Washington Foundation and Washington Heritage Museums.
Daughter Jane Bailey shared with the foundation how Jinxie enjoyed giving. For example, a grant she made to Washington Heritage Museums helped to clear a large fallen tree from its demonstration garden. Jinxie had been an active member of the garden club committed to maintaining the apothecary garden, so Jinxie felt a personal connection to the donation she recommended from their family fund.
From the beginning, Jinxie envisioned charitable giving as a family tradition. In fact, she included a provision in her fund agreement reserving for her daughters the privilege of selecting a successor fund advisor upon her death.
“The Community Foundation was the perfect fit for mom who loved her native town of Fredericksburg and appreciated this organization improving the quality of life in the area. My parents loved this community and the idea of supporting it. It was important to share that with me and my sisters.”
Jinxie’s altruistic planning extended even to gifts that could be made in lieu of flowers when she passed. The Community Foundation was honored to have its St. George’s Landmark Building Fund chosen, along with Mary Washington Hospice. “St George’s Church was important for [my mother’s] spiritual growth throughout her life and she wanted it to continue to be a blessing to others.”
Thanks to her thoughtful plan and the power of endowment, the Forbush Family Legacy Fund will continue in perpetuity as an asset for the good of our community that will always reflect the lives of Jinxie and Warren Forbush and their highest aspirations for the Fredericksburg region.
In September, Barbara “Jinxie” Forbush passed away at the age of 91. A complete obituary of her wonderful life is available on the Free Lance-Star’s website.
The Community Foundation is honored to receive gifts in lieu of flowers to the St. George's Landmark Building Fund of The Community Foundation. By mail at P.O. Box 208, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 or simply make a gift online.