Obituary of Ursula Weston Forman

Ursula Weston Forman, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, civic volunteer, bridge player, and longtime public servant, died peacefully on August 6th at the age of 94. She will be remembered for her intelligence, curiosity about the world, devotion to her family, and decades of service to the communities she called home. Ursula was born on April 19, 1932, in Dahlem, a suburb of Berlin, Germany, to Otto and Marianne Weston. In 1940, as a young child, she moved with her family and younger sister Bridget to the United States, settling in Oak Park, Illinois. She attended Oak Park and River Forest High School, where, during her junior year, she met her future husband, Charles Forman. Ursula went on to attend Rosary College, now Dominican University, graduating in 1953. On July 22, 1953, she and Charles were married and together, they built a life that stood as an enduring example of true teamwork, compassion and unwavering devotion to each other. They shared an incredible 71 years of marriage, a life filled with family, travel, spirited debate, and public service. Ursula began her professional life as a nursery school teacher. After the family moved to Lake Bluff, Illinois, she became a substitute teacher in the Lake Bluff elementary schools, including years of playing her guitar and the piano as a substitute music teacher, bringing joy to hundreds of children. In Lake Bluff, Ursula and Charles raised their three children: Steve, Diane, and Mary. During those years, Ursula's deep interest in civic life and volunteering took root. She served as President of the League of Women Voters in Lake Bluff, beginning a lifelong commitment to informed citizenship, good government, and community service. She never tired of noting what was underneath real debate – the ability to represent all sides of an argument. In 1977, Ursula and her family moved to Darien, Connecticut, where she would become an extraordinarily active and respected member of the community. She served as President of the Darien Newcomers Club, helping others find friendship and connection in their new town. She continued her work with the League of Women Voters, serving on its board, and became deeply involved in Darien town government. For more than 20 years, Ursula served as a member of Darien's Representative Town Meeting, where she chaired the Town Government Structure and Administration Committee. She later served as a member and chair of the Darien Board of Ethics and was elected to two terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission, continuing her public service until she was nearly 80 years old. Ursula and Charles also traveled widely; seeing the world and making friends along the way. Through Charles's role as Executive Director of The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Ursula became head of the wives' program, organizing and welcoming others with the same grace and competence she brought to all of her endeavors. Beyond her civic life, Ursula had many passions. She was a Life Master bridge player and loved duplicate bridge. She taught bridge for many years at the Darien Community Association (DCA), sharing not only the rules and strategy, but also her love of the game. As she headed into her 90s, she remained a formidable bridge and scrabble player. Those who knew Ursula will remember her strong mind, sense of principles, discipline, love of conversation, devotion to democratic values, and resilience. She was the steady hand those around her could always rely on, bringing wisdom, competence and quiet strength to every responsibility she embraced. Hers was a life well lived. Ursula was predeceased by her husband, Charles Forman in November of 2024. She is survived by her children; Steve and his partner Ann Krumboltz, Diane, and Mary and her husband Bob Flynn. She adored being Nana to her beloved grandchildren Katie, Erika, Sophie, Dan, Juli, Joanna, and Jack and "great Nana" to her great grandson Charlie. Special thanks to the Fairfield County House in Stamford, where she lived with Charles in their final years. She received wonderful care - day in and day out - for two and half years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the Fairfield County House, 1 Den Road, Stamford, CT 06905.