Born March 10, 1895, in Owensboro, Ky., Forrest was the daughter of John and Teresa Clark Bumpus. She attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy during the year 1911-1912, studying in the commercial department. She entered the novitiate and received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Denis on November 21, 1912.
Sister Mary Denis’ first assignment was St. Elizabeth School in Curdsville, Ky., where she taught for a year. All her later missions were in Kentucky: St. James in Louisville for 13 years, Calvary, Fancy Farm, Fredericktown, Owensboro (St. Joseph), Fairfield, Calvary, Shively, Cloverport, Central City, Fairfield, Raywick, and Princeton.
In September 1960, her fourth year at St. Paul School in Princeton, she underwent a physical examination at St. Joseph Infirmary in Louisville. Tuberculosis was suspected but after a period of observation and rest, she was temporarily dismissed. Sister Mary Denis later suffered a reaction from medication and was readmitted to St. Joseph Infirmary. On October 14, 1960, the physician made the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Sister Mary Denis suffered a serious heart attack which proved fatal on October 21, 1960, the feast of Saint Ursula. An autopsy revealed coronary thrombosis. Following her funeral Mass on October 25, Sister Mary Denis’ remains were taken to the convent cemetery for burial.