Jeanne Costello Forbes

Jeanne Costello Forbes, 74, of Colorado Springs, CO, passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2026. She was born to Paul and Mary “Pat” Costello in Brighton, MA, on January 9, 1952, and was the eldest of four sisters.

Jeanne spent part of her early life in Woodbridge, CT, before she and her family moved to Wellesley, MA. The Costellos loved to sail, swim, ski, and play tennis together. Their favorite place was Wellesley's Lake Waban, where many happy summers were spent.

Jeanne graduated from Wellesley High School in 1969 and earned a B.A. in English from Mount Saint Mary College in 1973. She also earned a master's degree in education from Northeastern University and Wroxton College, Oxfordshire, England, in 1997.

Jeanne was a gifted and dedicated educator who made lifelong friends, including many former students, wherever she lived or worked. Her teaching career spanned 42 years in Milford, NH, Lake Forest, IL, and Selah, Darrington, and Lakewood, WA. Among her accomplishments were chairing the Selah High School’s English department and developing a Holocaust curriculum that became a favorite among students.

Jeanne met Peter, her future husband, at the wedding of her sister Betsy and Peter's brother Scott in 1983. Peter was the love of Jeanne's life and they married in 1984. They lived in Washington state for 35 years before moving to Colorado in 2019. Their son, Patrick, was born in 1988 and has made a career in the U.S. Air Force.

Her family enjoyed traveling together throughout the Northwest when Patrick was growing up. They especially loved the Washington and Oregon coasts, the San Juan Islands, and Friday Harbor. Jeanne and Peter later traveled to Banff, Cancun, and Kauai and took yearly lake and ski vacations with extended family. Both of them were fans of the Seattle Sounders and Colorado Springs Switchbacks and also enjoyed attending countless concerts.

Family and friends will treasure the memories of time spent with Jeanne, though it was far too short. Her deep love and pride for Peter and Patrick was evident to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her loving, kind, and caring ways as well as for her loyalty, patience, and beauty. She was also known and appreciated for her love of books, movies, TV shows, current pop culture, and all things British. Additionally, she loved to specialize birthday cards for her “Littles,” that is, her many great-nieces and -nephews.

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband Peter, son Patrick, and sisters Betsy (Scott), Ali, and Dede (Mark). Other survivors include sisters-and brothers-in-law Karyl (Matt), Bill (Barb), Jean (David), Deb (John), and Michael. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews Travis (Rachel), Nicholas (Amanda), Christopher (Kate), Adam (Ana), Amanda (Chris), Ian (Lexie), Mac (Madelyn), Caroline (Andrew), Bryce, Liam, and Divya as well as great-nieces and -nephews Gwen, Mateo, Logan, Nolan, Alma, Evie, Luciana, Nathan, Sydney, Remi, Ellie, Alexandria, and Ayla.

Celebrations of Jeanne's life will be held on June 6 in Colorado Springs and on July 27 in Cleverdale, NY. Internment will occur in August in Wellesley, MA.

In lieu of flowers and to honor her beloved and devoted dachshunds, Cooper and Myles, donations may be made to Mile High Dachshunds Rescue.