Alpine District extols late board member

OREM — Alpine School Board members past and present remember former board member Andrea Forsyth as committed, positive and continually emphasizing special-needs children during her almost 11 years on the board.

Forsyth, 60, of Orem, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. Board members attended her funeral Tuesday, then honored Forsyth at the evening's board meeting with a moment of silence.

"It was a beautiful funeral and a great tribute to a wonderful woman," board member JoDee Sundberg said during the board meeting at Suncrest Elementary School, 668 W. 150 N., Orem.

"Andrea spent her life in serving other people. As a member of the board of education, she had great passion for the children of this district," Sundberg said.

Forsyth began serving on the Alpine board in January 1997. She served two full terms and then resigned in November, a little more than a year short of her third term, due to health reasons. She represented the Orem High School area.

Alpine chairwoman Debbie Taylor said Forsyth loved life and strengthened any organization she was involved in.

Forsyth co-founded the Possibilities Unlimited Conference to help other parents of children with special needs. Her son, Dustin, has Down syndrome.

Taylor said Forsyth was a champion of children with special needs.

"She wanted them treated first as individuals and seen second as according to their needs," Taylor said.

Forsyth lost her husband, Orem City Councilman Doug Forsyth, to leukemia in December 2005.

Linda Campbell, of Orem, whose husband Les was on the Orem council, served on Alpine board with Forsyth. Campbell says Forsyth visited the schools often. "We would go eat lunch in the cafeteria with the kids or the faculty," she said. "Andrea would ask teachers about their concerns and what the board could do to help."

"Her heart was always in the right place," Campbell said. "She really cared."

Alpine district superintendent Vernon Henshaw said Forsyth was a tremendous advocate for children and devoted to her role as a board member. "We have lost a real friend in education," Henshaw said.

Forsyth was also a talented singer. She sang at Orem High School's graduation ceremony for several years.

Forsyth lived in Orem for 36 years. She and her husband had five children.

"I think I will most remember my mother for her love for her family, the community and children with special needs," said daughter Alisha Heath, of Highland.

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