A Strong Woman - Josephine Teresa Magurn Forman

(Updated from original post at Family Search)

She suffered persecution because of her religion. “We got beaten up a lot because we were dirty Papes. On our way back to the train after school we had to pass the local school in Bridge of Weir and many a time the kids would line up in the street and block our pass. When we ran across we'd get hit with sticks and stones. It was a terrifying time but we survived that too.”

1934-Margaret, Joan, Terry, Philip, (front) Peter

She and her younger sister Joan left home at ages 9 and 7 for Boarding School. It wasn’t their choice and Terry didn’t want to leave her family but she went and she grew in stature and ability. “I was very homesick when I first left and it got worse each year. My schoolwork was good and I progressed through each class with no trouble.”

1939 St. Joseph's Convent - Terry at Center, Joan 2nd from left, bottom row

She earned the privilege of spending a summer in France at age 14. When Germany invaded Poland and war broke out in Europe, she was partially on her own to get back to Scotland. “My mother said I left as a little girl and returned a young lady.”

During World War II she joined the Army at age 19. She served in a position of trust - the Signal Corps, part of the Intelligence Corps. “I was assigned to the Signal Corps and a hush-hush job. I learned Morse Code through earphones. We weren't sending; listening in to the German army.”

1946 - British Army

She took a leap of faith and came to the United States in 1951 to work (for RCA) and get to know Ward Forman better. 

1951 - Passenger Manifest, Terry is #6

1951 - Arrival in Boston Harbor

1951 - Terry and Ward

After 22 years of marriage, she and Ward separated and later divorced. After being a stay-at-home mom for all of her marriage, except for helping in Ward’s downtown real estate office for several years, she had to return to the work force. With the help of the Tulare Ward Bishop she secured a position with Reynolds and Reynolds printing company. She describes her life’s biggest challenge: “Divorce and finding a job at 50. I survived the turmoil and did well in spite of it.” After retirement she moved to Utah, then later back to Scotland for a short time, then she settled in Iowa for 22 years. At this time, it looks like she might be moving to Utah, at age 94!!

  Josephine Teresa Magurn Forman is a strong woman, and we honor our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on her 94th birthday, 9 March 2019.