Ansonia resident Grace Forbes died this year at the age of 85, but not before fulfilling one last lifelong wish.
Forbes and her boyfriend, Jim Hubbard, were among more than 70 people at Ansonia High School April 7 taking part in a different sort of “senior prom” — where dances like the tango and waltz took prominence over more modern numbers, transporting attendees decades back in time for a few magical hours.
She passed away days later, after surgery.
Her daughter-in-law Debra said Grace was thankful to have gotten a second chance to go to the prom, because “she never had the opportunity to attend a prom when she was younger.”
“It meant a lot to her to be there with her boyfriend because they had been friends for many years,” Debra Forbes said.
She loved the dress she had recently worn to the prom so much that family members dressed her in it for her visitation, Debra said.
Grace Forbes, whose maiden name was Fryer, was a long-time Ansonia resident, raised her five children in the area, and was an active volunteer at local places like the senior center, said Debra Forbes.
The event was organized by a regional Human Relations Club, in partnership with Ansonia High School, Derby High School, Shelton High School, and Eli Whitney Technical School in Hamden.
The “senior prom” was one of the Human Relations Club’s annual intergenerational events, said Deborah Almonte, the club’s coordinator for Derby Public Schools.
The group gives students opportunities to interact with people from various backgrounds, she said, to “practice leadership and citizenship within our schools and community.”
The prom was a hit with students and seniors alike.
Those in attendance enjoyed a dinner served by students, shared stories, and showed off dance moves.
“Some of the senior couples gave us a treat and danced the tango and waltz. The students and seniors enjoyed being transported back in time,” Almonte said. “The seniors also participated in some of the more recent, popular dances the students led. It was a night to remember and brought generations together to do something good for each other.”
Following her mother-in-law’s death, Debra Forbes contacted local school officials to tell them how meaningful the senior prom had been.
Almonte said hearing her story made the event all the more meaningful.
“We were saddened and touched to hear of Grace Forbes’ story,” Almonte said. “We are so humbled to have had a part in her joy, and we thank her daughter-in-law for sharing her story. The students put a lot of effort into making this a beautiful and worthwhile event.”
Plans already are in the works for subsequent events, she added.
Derby’s Human Relations Club has about 100 members, a mix of high school and middle school students, she said, and aims to increase cultural awareness, reduce bullying and prevent racism while “improving our town’s moral, social and academic well-being.”
“Especially after hearing the impact the students had on Grace Forbes and other senior citizens, they are already planning for the next intergenerational event with enthusiasm knowing the difference it can make in their lives,” she said.
