Obituary: Sue LaForge

• Deceased's name: Susan (Sue) LaForge
  
• Age: 70
  
• Date: Feb. 7, 2012
  

Susan (Sue) LaForge, 70, died at her home in San Jose, California, on Feb. 7, 2012.

She was born on May 15, 1941, in Newton, KS to John F. and Margaret (Fugate) King. She graduated from Newton High School in 1959, and attended Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia and Wichita State University, where she was news editor for the WSU Sunflower and earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in journalism and psychology. On April 27, 1967, she married John C. LaForge at Grace Memorial Chapel on the WSU campus.

In August 1967, Sue joined the staff of the Los Gatos Times Observer, where she held the position of managing editor for 10½ years. In 1980, she was named executive manager of the ; and from 1993-2006 she was senior project director, San Jose region, of the National Council on Aging.

Sue was an active, respected, and dedicated member of her community and area throughout the years. She was a member of Soroptimist International and served on numerous boards, including the Ming Quong Board of Directors, Eastfield-Ming Quong Board of Directors, Live Oak Adult Day Care Center Board of Directors, Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Board, and South Bay N.O.V.A. Board of Advisors. She served as chair of the S.W. Y.M.C.A. camp committee and Board of Managers, was founder and chair of Los Gatos Youth Park, and founder of the

She was honored by the seven Silicon Valley branches of the Y.M.C.A. in 1979, was named Los Gatos Youth Park Citizen of the Year in 1983, and chosen as Grand Marshall of the Los Gatos Children’s Christmas Parade in 1993.

She is survived by her husband, Johnny, and son, D’Arcy, of San Jose; sister, Jackie Arnold, of Destin, FL; extended family and many friends.

A victim of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease since birth, Sue endured multiple surgeries, atrophy, and loss of balance with determination and grace.  Her indomitable will allowed her to achieve her goals.  If you wish, please send a donation in her name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for CMT research.

A celebration of Sue’s life will be held in Los Gatos, California, on March 24. All who knew her are invited to attend. Please contact Jan Morris-Phillips for details at jmorris@PeakTravel.com, 408-888-6015.

“The spirit of her time on earth will remain in the souls of those she touched in her life,” said Jim LaForge, brother-in-law.

Son D'Arcy (D.J.) LaForge said: "She was a courageous, sincere, fun, loving and inspiring person and she was known and loved by many, many people. My father and I were both very fortunate to have shared our lives with her."