Her legacy ‘continues to shape our village for the better’: Former Buffalo Grove mayor Beverly Sussman has died
Former Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman, a devoted teacher turned tireless public servant, died Saturday morning of a heart attack.
She was 83.
“She was the heart of our family: a loving, caring grandmother and wife who gave her three sons and endearing husband Marty strength comfort and endless support,” wrote her son Howard Sussman in a social media post Saturday.
Before she entered politics, Sussman taught middle school science for more than 25 years.
“She tried to make learning as enjoyable as possible,” recalled her oldest son, Richard, of his mother who devised a space shuttle program that simulated a moon launch and included moon rocks from NASA and a toilet from the space shuttle.
He said many former students kept in contact with her.
“She really made an impression on a lot of kids’ lives,” he said.
Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith, Sussman’s successor, offered condolences to her family and friends while praising her dedication, compassion, vision and integrity.
“Beverly’s commitment to public service and her deep love for Buffalo Grove leave a lasting legacy that continues to shape our village for the better,” he wrote. “Beverly's contributions will not be forgotten, and her spirit will remain an enduring part of our community.”
Sussman served the village for nearly 30 years, first as a member on the Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities, then as a 10-year village trustee and finally as village president, an office she held for two terms before retiring in 2023.
“Beverly Sussman enriched every community she touched, from her science classroom to Village Hall,” said Buffalo Grove state Rep. Daniel Didech in a prepared statement. “I was fortunate to know her as a teacher, a partner, and a friend. Her spirit brightened countless lives and will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.”
In a 2022 Daily Herald interview, Sussman cited the creation of the Lake-Cook Corridor Plan and Market Study, which preceded the redevelopment of the Town Center shopping center into The Clove, a $150 million mixed-use development, as a village accomplishment of which she was most proud. Her other achievements included helping to establish the village’s Infrastructure Modernization Program and attract a Woodman's grocery store to Buffalo Grove.
“She always wanted to help people, whether it was children in the schools or residents in the village,” said Richard Sussman. “My mother never worried about herself, she always worried about everyone else.”
Sussman's funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Following the funeral, friends and family will gather at the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, until 9 p.m.