Charmaine Irene (Warren) Forbes, wife, mother, long-time CIRI manager and CIRI shareholder, died Feb. 26, 2003, at Alaska Regional Hospital after a more than 14-year battle with cancer.

Charmaine was born Jan. 12, 1953, at Fort Richardson and graduated from Kenai High School in 1971. She was employed by Army-Air Force Exchange Services from 1976 to 1978 and began her career with CIRI in 1984 when she was hired as a secretary for the Land Department. Within three years she was named manager of the Shareholder Records Department, which later became the Shareholder Relations Department. She was manager of the department until 1999 when, for health reasons, she went to part-time employment in the Administration Department.

During her tenure as head of the Shareholder Records Department, one of Charmaine’s key initiatives was to find “lost shareholders” and re-connect them with their heritage and past. Many of those who had lost touch with CIRI were adopted into non-Native families as infants and often had no knowledge of their biological families and backgrounds.

“She showed exquisite judgment and common sense,” said CIRI Executive Vice President Barbara Donatelli, who was part of the team that selected Charmaine for her management position. “She was unflappable. She always had a dignity about her. She was a wonderful person as a co-worker and a friend.”
Many of Charmaine’s co-workers commented on her ability to work under pressure. “She had grace and style, and it was a privilege knowing her,” said Hazel Felton, CIRI special projects manager.

Jennifer Coughlin, who worked under Charmaine, commented on her kindness, sensitivity, thoughtfulness, beautiful smile and her never-ending strength. “Those of us who were fortunate to have worked with her in the Shareholder Relations Department for many years will forever be grateful to have known her not only as our supervisor, but also as our friend. She will be greatly missed and will forever be our shining star,” she said.

When Charmaine left the Shareholder Relations Department, she worked part-time on a number of special projects focusing on historical research. Among her many recent accomplishments, she developed the index for “A Reference in Time,” published by The CIRI Foundation.

Throughout her battle with cancer, Charmaine was an inspiration to many others suffering from cancer. She always maintained her optimism.
“I have never known a stronger woman,” said Pamela Allen, CIRI senior director of Human Resources and Administration.
Charmaine is survived by her mother, Joann Warren; husband, Charlie Forbes; daughters, Delaine Forbes and Dana Menendez; sisters, Marilyn Miller and Theresa Forbes; and brother, John Warren. She was preceded in death by her father, John Warren. Memorial donations may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.