Patty (Patricia R.) Forbes

Patty and Gary In New Zealand celebrating (early) our 40th wedding anniversary.

Family info: Married to Midd classmate, Gary Gray for 40 years — we married the day before graduation at the Weybridge VT Congregational Church, with many Midd friends in attendance. We have three adult daughters, ages 34, 32 and 30. Sage teaches high school math in Brooklyn, NY. She and her wife Amber have four-year-old and one-year-old sons — great joys to us, their moms and their two aunts. Nora is a bio-chemist doing post-doctoral Alzheimer’s research in Portland, OR. Amy, also in Brooklyn, is a labor and delivery nurse by day and studying to become a nurse practitioner by night. Gary and I are retired, enjoying our winters in Arlington, VA and summers onLake Champlain in North Ferrisburgh, VT.

Contact info: prforbes47@hotmail.com

Professional Background: I had two careers: 11 years as an upper elementary school teacher working with low-income students, many of whom were learning English; and 23 years as a Federal government lawyer specializing in legislation and regulations. For about 8 years of my Federal service, I worked as the Democratic Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Favorite Memories: Celebrating Lisa Bent Chace’s birthday at the Middlebury Inn’s bar, the Pine Room, where I met Gary Gray. I also fondly remember getting bagels at the SDUs for evening study breaks, beers at the Alibi and sloe gin fizzes (!) at Mr. Ups, winter dances at the former Art building, and the Spanish and German tables at the Chateau.

Memorable Professors: Roberto Vequez, Marisol Maura, Kimberly Sparks, VanHorn Vail, David Stameshkin

Memorable songs: You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor, Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell, and anything from Tapestry by Carole King.