Skip to content

In Memoriam: Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Forte

Make a Memorial Contribution

Memorial contributions in Elizabeth’s name will be placed in the Louis R. Forte Music Scholarship Fund

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Forte passed away on May 22, 2023.

From the obituary:

Elizabeth (Betty) Barbara (nee Bindgen) Forte, 96, was called to the Lord on Monday, May 22, 2023, after a short illness.  Betty was born March 26, 1927 in Chicago and was graduated from DePaul University in 1951, receiving her degree in secondary education. Betty was married to Louis Reginald Forte on April 11, 1953 and they started their family when they moved to Aurora. Betty returned to teaching second grade at Brady School in Aurora, IL in 1970. She retired from teaching in 1992. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and special friend to the many people whose lives she touched. She was devoted to her family, friends, and her Catholic religion, and especially indulged in the little pleasures of everyday life. 

Betty is survived by her six children, Marilu Kartheiser (Terry), Carylie Forte, Philip Forte (Deborah), Jennifer Forte, Andrea Forte, and Melissa Forte.  She is also survived by her six adoring grandchildren Kristin Jenkins (Kevin), Katie Assell (Chris), Jakob Fuelling, Taylor Watkins, Logan Fuelling, and Elleana Forte; and 11 loving great grandchildren, sister in-law and nieces and nephews. She leaves friends who will miss her enduring friendship and ability to chat on the phone during her later years.  Betty was preceded in death by her husband Louis, and her parents Peter and Elizabeth Bindgen and brother, Raymond Bindgen, and her father-in-law and mother in-law Frank and Caroline (Lena) Forte.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 620 Fifth Street in Aurora. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 278 East Ashland Ave. in Aurora.

Memorials can be made to the Louis Forte Music Scholarship of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (in Aurora) or to the charity of one’s choice.

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Install Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”

Accessibility Toolbar