Ethel Maxine Forga, age 83, of Fayetteville passed away Thursday, October 6th, 2022 at 3:40 P.M. in the arms of her daughters and grandchildren. She was born February 10th, 1939 in Fayetteville, AR to Ira and Dolly Edwards. Maxine is preceded in death by her beloved siblings Mary, Sonny, Bueford, Will, Ruben, Don, and Doris. She is survived by her children Lisa Bourke and her husband Pat, Pam Forga, and Jill Forga; her grandchildren Megan Shearin and her husband Brad, Hunter Bourke and his wife Lauren, Adam VanLaningham, and Erika Reidy; her great-grandchildren Elliotte Shearin and Case Bourke; her niece Kim Amundson and her husband Joey; many close friends, and 4 cats that she adored.


She was known by her family as Granny Maxine. She was called Max by her friends, of which she had many. She was a master fisherman, known to be the greatest Crappie and Bass fisher by all of her friends and family. In her younger years, Maxine was a competitive tennis player and played many singles and doubles games at the Kingsdale Country Club in Bella Vista. She also loved waterskiing in her younger years, and told her grandchildren how she could water ski for half an hour and come off the water with her hair completely dry. Granny Maxine was everyone's favorite cook. Her family will forever miss her mashed potatoes, brown beans & cornbread, and coconut cream pie.

In the last 15 years of her life, she loved to go to the casino with her 3 best friends, Jewel, Kathy, and Tommy. Maxine enjoyed sharing with her family the many happy memories she had going to the casino with her friends.

Maxine's love for animals was unparalleled. Each of her 3 daughters and all of her grandchildren inherited her love and respect for animals. Maxine had so many animals throughout her life that she loved and adored like family members. But above all else, Maxine loved her family. Her family was her world, and she spent most minutes of her day trying to figure out how to make their lives better. Maxine also enjoyed a personal relationship with Jesus that influenced many facets of her life.

She will be so sorely missed, and a hole is left in each of our hearts that will only be filled when we have our heavenly reunion with her. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at a later date.

Please send donations to your local animal shelter or women's shelter.