Sue Hecht

1947 - 2025

Sue Hecht, 77, of Frederick, Maryland, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, longtime nonprofit leader, and tireless advocate for women, families, and vulnerable communities, died peacefully on September 23, 2025.

She was the beloved wife of the late Robert Forder, with whom she shared 30 wonderful years of marriage before his passing. She is survived by her children Shannon Aleshire (Will), William M. Forder (Cindy), Laurie Oetzel (Mark), and Robert M. Forder, Jr. (Brenda); her grandchildren Ethan Shifflett, Jeremy Shifflett, Katie Aleshire, Jennifer Moore (Jason), Jamie Diggs (Mark), Chelsea Bondarenko, Robert M. Forder III, George M. Forder (Kim), Dani Oetzel, and James Forder; and her great-grandchildren Taylor Harris (Jaxon), Madie Diggs, Jordan Moore, Lilliana Forder, Rowan Forder, Bennett Forder, and Mason Diggs. She also leaves behind two brothers, Bruce Hecht (Kathy) and Thad Hecht, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Reuben and Vera Hecht; her son, Lee Shifflett; her sister, Joann Fusick; and her stepson, John Scott Forder.

Born on December 7, 1947, in Takoma Park, Maryland, Sue grew up in a public-minded family -a quality that shaped her own life of service. She graduated from Hood College with a B.A. in 1985 and earned an M.B.A. from Frostburg State University in 1992.

Before her career in elected office, Sue worked as a freelance journalist and then as executive director of Heartly House, Frederick County's nonprofit dedicated to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. There, and as a co-founder of the Frederick County Domestic Violence Task Force, she became a fierce advocate for people without a voice. Her leadership helped expand resources and supports that remain vital today.

In 1994 she was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, where she served from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2011. She quickly emerged as a leader, becoming Deputy Majority Whip and serving on the Appropriations and Economic Matters Committees. Within the Women Legislators of Maryland, she rose to President where she mentored younger lawmakers and advanced initiatives to safeguard women and families.

Sue's legislative record was marked by pragmatism, compassion, and courage. She shepherded complex state budget issues with diligence, tackled challenges in education and transportation, and consistently fought for those overlooked in the halls of power. Her advocacy was deeply personal in her efforts to pass Vera's Law, legislation she introduced to strengthen protections for nursing home residents after her own mother, Vera, experienced neglect in long-term care. Though the bill did not become law, Sue's determination brought a spotlight to the issue, giving voice to families across Maryland facing similar struggles. For Sue, the fight itself was a way to honor her mother's dignity and ensure that others would not suffer in silence.

She also sponsored Christopher's Laws, a package of reforms enacted after the murder of Christopher Ausherman, a 9-year-old Frederick resident. These laws strengthened penalties, enhanced monitoring requirements, and limited sentence reducing credits for violent sexual offenders, reflecting Sue's resolve to turn tragedy into reforms that put public safety and victims' voices first.

Her contributions were recognized across the state. She was repeatedly named among Maryland's Top 100 Women by The Daily Record, entering its Circle of Excellence in 2002, and she received awards from organizations ranging from the Maryland Legal Services Corporation to the Maryland Correctional Administrators' Association. Yet she remained characteristically modest about honors, reminding others that recognition mattered less than results.

Beyond her family, Sue maintained a wide circle of devoted friends including the Lightbulbs, the QFEs, and her Homewood Posses, who drew strength from her loyalty, humor, and plainspoken advice. She relished lively conversation and was never too busy to listen. Those friends-some lifelong, others newer companions-remember her as the kind of person who showed up when you needed her most.

Sue was also an adjunct professor, an author of numerous articles, a board member, and a loyal Rotarian before her retirement. Her values came through in the quotes she carried closest: the populist reminder from Senator Paul Wellstone that "we all do better when we all do better," and Toni Morrison's unflinching wisdom, "If you can only be tall because someone is on their knees, then you have a problem." Sue lived by both.

Her life was shaped by fairness, dignity, and integrity. Those who knew her best will remember her as someone who took action and insisted that power should be used to protect, not to exploit.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Hood College's Hoffman Chapel, with a reception to follow in Coblentz Hall. Attendees are invited to wear red or yellow, the colors in the Maryland flag that Sue loved so much. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mental Health Association of Frederick County or Heartly House, two causes that embodied Sue's lifelong devotion to service.

She carried herself without pretense but left in her wake a profound example of what service looks like at its best.

Sue Hecht