Rima Maria Forbes de Moore was born on November 12, 1943 to Robert Forbes and Riedolia Cespedes in Colon, Republic of Panama. She is known to many as “Rilda”. She always had a strong bond with her cousins from the Forbes-Cespedes clan. She loved growing up in a big family in Colon.
Rilda lived in “El Maranon”, Panama City before migrating to the United States of America. Her dream of reuniting with her family came true in 1978 when she arrived in Brooklyn, New York with her two youngest kids. They reunited with her mother, husband and stepkids on Snediker Avenue. Snediker was Rilda’s beloved block, and a place she called home for many decades. Rilda followed the traditions of the Cespedes clan. She enjoyed cooking and baking. Her kids and great-grandchildren always looked forward to her great meals and baked goods. The Christmas cakes and sorrel were some of the treats that one could never get enough of. She enjoyed listening and dancing to music as well as watching Country & Western movies. Playing cards, bingo and “visiting” casinos were some of her favorite pastimes. Her ability to remember numbers and counting cards was outstanding. She took great pride knowing the birthday and age of every family member like the back of her hand.
Rilda was a homemaker. She was a quiet yet strong influence on her family. She took great pride in passing much of the customs and traditions on to her kids and grandchildren. Her household and extended family was comprised of her mother -- the family matriarch, and a strong authoritarian husband. Nevertheless, her feisty and courageous personality left a mark on her family. It was very common to get a tongue lashing from Rilda in the most unexpected moment. If you were out of hands reach, a shoe or other object would quickly get your attention. These acts or bursts of temper were her way of conveying her tough love for demanding nothing but the best from her family.
On Monday, July 19, 2021, God called Rilda home to rest. Though predeceased by her husband James, she leaves to celebrate her life and spirit, her children: Alfredo, Antoinette, Lorraine and Jaime; four stepchildren: Digna, Griselda, Sheila and Loira; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.