Iyonne Maria Forbes passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, held on each side by the loving care of her two sons.  She was the epitome of class and kindness.  A self-starter who raised two boys and touched many lives through a long career as an educator. She was loved and cherished by many.

Iyonne was born on July 22, 1948, to Luisa Henry Bennet and Herman Lewis in Colon City, Republic of Panama (R.P.).  She was the only child to her mother and was known to be the life of a party, unselfish with her sharing, with a magnetic personality and while always doing the right thing she understood that perfection was the enemy of good!

Raised from humble beginnings, Iyonne was an A-student through high school.  She started her professional career as a substitute teacher in the country of Panama and as a true trailblazer in the mid-60s continued to further her education.  While sustaining a career and caring for her young children she completed and was awarded a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Panama – an accomplishment not common among her contemporaries.  Iyonne emigrated to the Unites States in 1983 and quickly showed her tenacity.  She held two full time jobs, one as an assistant at a foot clinic and the other as a substitute teacher, and despite many professional and personal challenges managed to earn a master's degree in early childhood education from Medgar Evers University in New York City.  She eventually became a permanent teacher and rose through the ranks at St. Marks Day School in New York City where she ended her career as a principal and the lead administrator for the early-childhood school.  Upon her retirement, the St. Mark's Day School Forbes-Smith Library was opened and dedicated to her and her co-principal in honor of their accomplishments and with whom she formed a lifelong bond.

To the countless students whose lives she touched whether in the classroom, as an administrator, tutor, or Sunday school teacher, be certain that she spoke of you and always remembered you dearly.  She had a remarkable way of remembering so many intricate details of your lives.  Details that she shared with her family not so much for any pride in anything she did, but for the excitement of knowing all that you did.  Her greatest joy was seeing you navigating your way through life.  Her sense of duty was adorned with her infinite love and caring for others, especially children!

Iyonne is survived by her husband Clemente Forbes, her two sons Carlos and Sergio McKenzie, her daughters in law Elizabeth and Rossana McKenzie, and her four grandchildren Alex, Brian, Nathan, and Julian McKenzie.

While family and friends hurt for her passing, we know that she is in a better place!

Visitation Services will be held on Sunday March 23, 2025 at Becker Funeral Home in Clermont, Florida (5pm – 8pm)

Funeral Services at Better Life Worship Center, 332 Mohawk Rd, Clermont, FL 34715 on Monday March 24, 2025 (9am) followed by burial at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Copy and Paste the URL shown below for video streaming of the service:

https://www.youtube.com/@betterlifeworshipcenter