The Northwest Indiana Forum is mourning the loss of one of its most active members, who was shot dead last week by her ex-boyfriend as she left her Elmhurst, Ill., real estate office, according to police.

Cindy Bischof, 43, of Arlington Heights, Ill., was active in arranging tours of Northwest Indiana for developers and real estate agents, as well as helping arrange Forum events and conferences, according to Forum CEO Vince Galbiati.

"Enthusiastic, positive, kind and generous, Cindy will be sorely missed," Galbiati said in a prepared statement. "The Forum has lost a true friend."

Bischof was a key player in development of the NorthWind Crossing industrial park, in Hobart. She transacted virtually all leases and land sales within the 174-acre industrial park, Galbiati said.

She was a principal partner at Darwin Realty & Development Corp., an Elmhurst-based real estate firm.

Bischof was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Michael L. Giroux, 60, Friday, Elmhurst police reported, adding Giroux then shot himself in the head and died at the scene. Bischof died after being taken to the hospital.

Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. A viewing will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Anne Church, 306 Franklin St., Barrington, followed by a mass at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cynthia L. Bischof Memorial Fund and sent in care of Glueckert Funeral Home.