Susan M. Forbes

Susan M. Forbes, 81, of Aurora, died Friday, October 31, 2025, at her care facility in Queen Creek, Arizona. She was born August 10, 1944, in Aurora, the eldest child of Arthur Krantz, Sr. and Phyllis (Hickey) Krantz.

Susan graduated from East Aurora High School and held several jobs before finding her true passion. For 21 years, she owned her own business, Forbes Bookkeeping, where she delighted in chatting with people from all walks of life while helping them prepare their tax returns. She took a particular interest in her community, learning everything she could about Aurora city government and making sure sidewalks appeared in her Foran Lane neighborhood so mothers "didn't have to walk their babies in the street." Susan also gave her time to Mutual Ground in Aurora and raised funds for the Northwest Territories Homeowners Association. She loved the simple pleasures in life: long drives in her car, doing puzzles, dinners with her friends Shirley, Irene, and Helen, and intense Uno matches with her grandkids.

Susan faced epilepsy with the same determination and humor she brought to everything else. She couldn't drive until her thirties-but once she did, she never stopped, cruising around with a mix of contentment, joy, and a bit of stubborn independence that became her trademark.

Family was at the center of Susan's heart. She is survived by her three children: Richard (Tonya) Forbes Jr. of Aurora, Steve (Kelli) Forbes of Crystal Lake, and Shelley Forbes of Arizona. She was lovingly known as "Grandma Cookie " to her five grandchildren-Sarah, Casey, Kevin, Emme, and Jenna. She is also survived by her siblings: Tom (Diane) Krantz, Jeanne Krantz, Joe (Carol) Krantz, and Mark (Tina) Krantz, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Artie, David, Jerry, and Roger Krantz.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Dieterle Memorial Home from 2–5 PM, with a Prayer Service of Remembrance at 5 PM officiated by Rev. Michael Lavan. Memorials may be directed to the Epilepsy Foundation.

And true to form, Susan would want everyone to remember her not with tears, but with a smile and maybe imagine her joyfully cruising the streets of heaven, still refusing to let anyone tell her where to go.