A year after she was murdered by her ex-fiancée, Patty Forman has been honoured by the provincial government with a special day to remember the woman who had been a staple in Prince Rupert’s arts and music community.
A longtime employee at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Forman was murdered at the Ocean Centre Mall by Shawn Yeung on her way to work on Nov. 21 2022, shocking the community and the province.
The day is to honour Forman’s work with the MCFD and raise awareness for other victims of intimate partner violence.
“Beloved by her children, family and coworkers, Patty Forman is missed by many,” read the provincial proclamation.
“Patricia Forman Day is an opportunity to honour and celebrate Patty’s life and the many gifts she brought to those around her, such as love for her community, theatre, and her work with families at the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Patricia Forman Day is an opportunity to show support for those who knew and loved Patty and for others who have experience with intimate partner violence.”
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice spoke about the new day of remembrance at the Legislative Assembly in Victoria on Nov. 20, remarking the incredible impact Forman had on the community in Prince Rupert and the mourning the community has done since her tragic death.
“Patty was a mother, a MCFD worker, a renowned musician, performer, very active in our arts community among many many other things,” Rice said. “Whether you were close family and friends or whether you were 10 degrees removed, from both the victims, we all felt it, it was very painful. And we’ve all had grief to process.”
The announcement was shared by Forman’s son Joshua Forman on Facebook, who thanked his mother’s coworkers at the MCFD.
Yeung, a former Canadian Border Service Agency employee, died in hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after he murdered then-52-year-old Forman.
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