Melinda Gostel Forbes

03/08/1949 - 03/24/2022

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Obituary For Melinda Gostel Forbes

Virginia Beach - Melinda Gostel Forbes, 73, caring wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend, died in Virginia Beach March 24, 2022, after an extended battle with Covid Pneumonia, exacerbated by being immunocompromised due to ongoing cancer treatments. A native of Norfolk, she was predeceased by her parents Julius "Gus" and Marilyn Morgan Gostel, and her brother Robert Mark Gostel.

Melinda was a member of the Norview High School Class of 1967 and earned a BA in English from Old Dominion in 1971. Upon graduation she began her 38-year career with The Virginian-Pilot newspaper, starting as a writer for the Virginia Beach Beacon, and eventually editing the popular Food and Garden section of The Pilot. She greatly enjoyed the newspaper's dynamic atmosphere and her energetic, thoughtful and artistic colleagues, many of whom she has stayed in contact with since retirement.

A dedicated gardener, Melinda loved visualizing and realizing multi-year perennial gardens along the Cavalier Shores "Cavalier Walkway." She was an avid bird enthusiast, and mastered the techniques to attract many rare and unusual birds to her feeders, even providing for the over-wintering of several hummingbirds. She was an accomplished cook and enjoyed helping others through her occasional work at her favorite kitchen store at Hilltop. A voracious reader, she spent many hours reading on the back of a Harley Davidson on multiple Western adventures. She loved the Virginia Beach lifestyle and never considered living anywhere else once she rented a house in Old Beach with friends, got a job at an iconic beachfront pancake house, and met her eventual husband Curtis. The Morgan family farms and Old Davis Town Cemetery in Iron City, Alabama always held a place in her heart.

Her family, near family, and a large circle of loving friends from the Cavalier Shores community of North Beach, supported Melinda and the Forbes family through multiple bouts with cancer and most recently, an extended hospitalization. Her family is deeply grateful for this support.

She is survived by her husband, Curtis Worth Forbes, and daughter, Paige Morgan Forbes of Virginia Beach; Capt. Julius Gostel Jr., USN ret., and wife, Bobbie, of Viera, FL; Keith Gostel and wife, Sheree, of Quinton VA; and John Gostel and wife, Mary, of Fairfax VA. Melinda was always the "Favorite Aunt" to her many nieces and nephews: Matt, Andrew, Chris, Felix, Morgan, Melissa, Harley, Laura, Robbie, Camryn, Meghan, Amanda, Cullen and Virginia. She leaves behind her cat, Ivan.

Melinda was thankful for the considerate and compassionate care of the physicians and nursing staff at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital's ICU, Step Down and Oncology units.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5th, at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, 212 19th St, Virginia Beach. A reception will follow at an off-site location. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Melinda's memory to local animal care organizations or other local charities.

Simply Cremation is assisting her family. Online condolences may be expressed at SimplyCremationOnline.com.

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Condolences

  • 04/04/2022

    Our extended family enjoyed Melinda's company during OBX beach trips with the John Gostel crew. Melinda provided a gracious and gentle vibe to the often loud and rambunctious gathering. Her loss is keenly felt and we hold her and her family in our hearts.

  • 03/31/2022

    Photo of Melinda holding Paige, and many family members in the Old Davistown Cemetery, where her grandparents are buried.

  • 03/31/2022

    I have many memories of cousin Melinda coming to Alabama, and visiting the Old Davistown community. I was worried after calling to wish her a happy birthday on the 8th, left a message and she failed to respond. She will be missed by her Alabama family. Richard (Rick) Morgan

  • 03/28/2022

    Curtis and Paige, I am so going to miss Melinda. She was a great friend. Carol Gallagher

  • 03/28/2022

    Melinda. She was an institution at The Virginian-Pilot, deeply knowledgeable, funny, gracious. Always a little smile and a twinkle in her eye. Even when her computer crashed, taking hundreds of the photos she'd carefully saved — for her Food/Flavor and other sections — her reaction was much more mild than others' would have been. Melinda was a fine woman who made the world better in many ways. I wish peace for her family and other loved ones.

  • 03/28/2022

    So sorry for your loss, Curtis. Melinda was was such a lovely and grounded presence.

  • 03/27/2022

    Melinda lived next door to me for many years. Curtis is still next door. You get to really know a person over the grapevine. In all those years, there was never anything but smiles, kindness, and encouragement. Fly, Angel...

  • 03/27/2022

    Melinda gave me my start in journalism. I answered a Beacon ad for a correspondent and went to visit her in person rather than sending in clips. She was so kind and sweet to me even though I barged into her office during the busiest time of the day. I left that meeting with my first assignment. She became my newsroom mom, and I loved her for it. I owe her everything. I am so sorry to hear of her passing and I offer my condolences to her family.

  • 03/26/2022

    We are saddened to hear that Melinda has passed away. Our daughters grew up together and we've had many a lively conversation about our girls. Melinda was a wonderful mom. Marian Shadrick

  • 03/26/2022

    I worked for years with Melinda at The Virginian-Pilot and was very saddened to hear of her passing. She was a talented, hard-working journalist who knew Virginia Beach and its people. She made a new friend with every one she interviewed. She was a joy to work with. My condolences to her family, neighbors and friends.

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