PEGGY FORT (SUSAN MARGARET FORT) 

Born 3/15/1966

Mathew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Irish Blessing:

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Susan Margaret Fort, better known by her nickname, Peggy, was a beautiful, giving soul with an optimistic and sunny disposition. She lived life to the fullest with no regrets. Her Faith, family and friends were the most important things in her life, and she loved them “to infinity and beyond.” 

She was the loving daughter and forever friend to her Dad (the late Edward Fort Jr) and Mom, Suzanne Stoops. Longtime devoted partner and best friend to Daniel J. Buchanan. Little sister to siblings: the late Edward C. Fort, Kimberly Fort, Tracy Hall, Richard Fort and Linda Hinkle. She was also a favorite aunt to her many nieces and nephews all of whom she loved very much. She was Blessed to have many wonderful friends whom she loved unconditionally and considered her extended family.

A native of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, at 18, Peggy left the Chicago area to attend Orange Coast College in California. She never looked back – becoming a California girl residing in her beloved Newport Beach for most of her adult life. 

Faith and spiritual development were a big part of Peggy’s life, and these continued to evolve into adulthood. Baptized Lutheran, she decided to became a Catholic in 2005. She loved volunteering and serving the Church as an adult Faith formation sponsor for many years.

Peggy loved the beach, sunsets, nature, animals, competing in sports, entertaining friends and was a passionate world traveler.  Few people knew, because she didn’t pursue it past high school, that she was a creative and talented artist and painter. A natural athlete, Peggy was a pre-elite gymnast in her early years, a collegiate NCAA spring board diver and a competitive runner, having completed twenty three marathons for charity as an adult including one Boston Marathon qualifying run. She loved snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving and hiking.

A graduate of California State University, Chico, she was a natural leader elected to serve as its Commissioner of Programs and Organizations. Upon graduation, she landed a brief stint teaching scuba diving in Micronesia to Japanese tourists.

Following her passion, she then began a colorful career in ski industry marketing. She lived in her beloved Lake Tahoe for most of her twenties before landing high profile positions in tourism marketing for the Cities of Newport Beach and Los Angeles where she served as the Director of Public Relations. An entrepreneur at heart, Peggy then started her own successful marketing agency California Marketing Concepts - CMC Inc. which she ran for 22 years, located in Corona Del Mar. 

Peggy served as President and CEO of California Marketing Concepts, her full-service marketing and public relations firm. For over 20 years she helped to promote destinations and restaurants, non-profit organizations, and local businesses. Her firm represented many high profile clients, such as the Cities of Newport Beach, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica, as well as Balboa Island, the OC Marathon, Starbucks Coffee Company, McDonald’s Restaurants and over four hundred restaurants and small businesses.

A big part of her business philosophy was to give back to the community by organizing, participating, and financially supporting charity events. Peggy felt like this was one of her biggest accomplishments. It made her so happy to be able to help others. Peggy’s long-standing commitment to her community was recognized by the State of California when the State Assembly named Peggy the 2021 Woman of Distinction for the City of Newport Beach, California.

Peggy’s friends and neighbors will undoubtedly remember Peggy for her strength and grit, but also for her gentle, generous, and fun spirit.  Her 4th of July Independence Day barbecues (she was a true Patriot) and Christmas Boat Parade parties on the Newport Harbor were ever festive. Her gift-wrapping skills – always with her signature silver sparkle – were unparalleled!  Never one to boast of her many good deeds, she was consistently and quietly there for anyone when a helping hand was needed. 

Peggy believed that, by the Grace of God, Heaven is a place where your hopes, dreams and memories beautifully come together in a glorious afterlife. In her last years of life, she held her Blessings and wonderful memories close. She dreamed vividly with compassion and happiness and looked forward to abundance and the Love to come once the good Lord would come calling to take her home.

Peggy lives forever in the hearts of all those she has touched.

Morizzo Funeral Home has also posted an obituary for Peggy with the service information.  https://www.morizzofuneralhome.com/obituaries/susan-fort/#!/Obituary

FUNERAL INFORMATION:

Family and friends are asked to meet on Saturday, April 19, 2025at Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner of Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 from 1:00 P.M.till time of funeral service at 4:00 P.M.

Service Details:

Visitation

APR 19. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CT)

Morizzo Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2550 Hassell Rd Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 (847) 752-6444

 

Funeral Service

APR 19. 4:00 PM (CT)

Morizzo Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2550 Hassell Rd Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 (847) 752-6444

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made using the link below for ALS Therepy Development Institute.