By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

SPRINGDALE - Helen Dorothy Forster's caring nature was evident in her work in social services, and as a mother, neighbor and friend.

"She was a very strong and caring person and she was always doing a lot for other people - not just for her family but for people in the neighborhood. She was just very giving," said a daughter, Kathleen Marot of Mount Washington.

Mrs. Forster died Thursday at Maple Knoll Village in Springdale after a long illness. She was 91.

Raised in College Hill, she graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1930 and continued her education at the College of Mount St. Joseph, where she earned a bachelor of science degree and a teaching certificate to teach high school mathematics.

During her college years, she worked for the Catholic Welfare Agency. She later took courses in social work at the University of Cincinnati and worked with the Hamilton County Public Welfare Service.

After marrying neurologist Dr. Francis M. Forster in 1937, she continued her work in social services, working close to her husband as a social worker at Boston City Hospital.

For several years, she volunteered her time, and raised her five children.

In 1985, the Forsters moved back to Cincinnati and settled in Blue Ash. Mrs. Forster continued to volunteer, mostly for her parish, All Saints Church in Montgomery.

Other survivors include her husband; two sons, Mark of Madison, Wis., and Denis of Kittery, Maine; two daughters, Susan Cole of Sun Prairie, Wis., and Gabriele Kopp of Beloit, Wis.; a brother, William Kiley of Finneytown; a sister, Betty Jane Kiley Luick of Fort Lauderdale; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. today at All Saints Church, 8939 Montgomery Road, Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, St. Bernard.

Memorials can be made to the Helen Kiley Forster Scholarship Fund, College of Mount St. Joseph, 5701 Delhi Road, Cincinnati, OH 45233.

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com