ORR’S ISLAND, ME — Alice Baker Forgit died peacefully with family at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough ME on March 1, 2017, following a short illness. She leaves behind her husband of 31 years Raymond Forgit, 2 sons, David W. Gosnell, and William C. Wade, daughter Miriam W. Chapman, and 2 step-daughters, Kristine D. Forgit and Joann A. Talano.

She was born in Springfield, MA on December 1, 1929 to Ingham Chamberlain Baker, an officer at the G. and C. Merriam Co. (Merriam Webster dictionary), and Martha O. Aiken Baker. Her mother was born in Hawaii and both parents were descendants of Levi Chamberlain, Hawaiian Mission Settlement. She grew up with three brothers, Walton A. Baker, Ingham C. Baker Jr. (deceased), Jeremiah G. Baker (deceased), and younger sister, Martha (Mitsey) Monzeglio Baker. Alice spent her summers on Bustins Island ME where she learned sailing, racing and cruised the Maine coast. In her adolescent years she waitressed at the “famous” Bustins Island Ships Inn with other island girls.

Moving to Connecticut, Alice attended Suffield High School, then Macduffie School for Girls in 1948. She attended Mt. Holyoke College and graduated with an economics major in 1952. Alice met George (Ted) E. Gosnell, a student at Bowdoin College and married in 1953. She lived in Brooklyn NY from 1954 to 1960, spending summers in Remsenburg, Long Island. Alice moved with their son David to Needham MA, eventually settling in Wellesley MA. There she re-married to her Bustins Island childhood friend Paul Wade in 1961. She had two children with Paul, William and Miriam and raised all three in Wellesley through the 60’s and 70’s. Alice was very active in town organizations, eventually working full time for Hatch Associates, Needham MA.

Alice was an accomplished musician, playing an upright double base in orchestras as a child, developing a love of jazz and swing as an adult. Alice’s passion for music evolved along with then husband Paul Wade. They started a Dixie land jazz band called “Mama and the Red Hot Papas”, where she was “mama”. This band continued to play for almost forty years.

In the early 1980’s she met a talented horn player, Ray Forgit, who played both saxophone and clarinet. They were married in Billerica MA in 1985, where they continued playing music together for many years in both the jazz band and a 16 piece classic swing band throughout the New England area.

After building a beautiful house on Dipper Cove, Orrs Island ME, Alice retired from working with her husband Ray at Medical Systems Management, Wakefield MA in 1994. Along with her husband Ray, Alice enjoyed vacationing for many years at their house in Punta Leona, Costa Rica. Alice and her husband supported many charities throughout their retirement, including helping underprivileged children in Costa Rica.

In addition to her children, Alice leaves behind 9 grandchildren, Whitney M. Gosnell, Asa (Drew) A.

Gosnell, Kevin P. Wade, Corrianna S. Wade, Kelsey A. Chapman, Hannah A. Chapman, Kathryn (Kate) A. Talano, Ryan J. W. Talano, and Ana K. Forgit.

A service will be held at the Bracket Funeral Home, March 25th at 2 PM, 29 Federal Street Brunswick, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Bustins and Bay Foundation c/o Warren Baker, 882 Summer St Marshfield MA 02050.