Susan Sherwin Langstaff began her spirit journey on January 28, 2017.
She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio on September 26, 1925 to John and Frances Sherwin.
She had a sister, Martha Stewart (deceased); and is survived by a brother, John Sherwin Jr.; two sons, Toby and Jeffery Keeler; two daughters, Win Jenkins, Robin Gillespie; nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Susan lived in Alexandria, Virginia from 1956-1971. When she moved to Colorado Springs in 1972 her involvement in her community expanded greatly. In 1974-1979 she was co-director of Logos, which was an advocacy for people of low income in the community. However, her real passion was caring for the dying with dignity and comfort which led to becoming co-founder of Pikes Peak Hospice in 1980. Susan was active at all levels of that organization for many years. But most of all she loved offering comfort to those who were close to death. She served as board president of Pikes Peak Mental Health and over the last many decades Susan volunteered and was on advisory boards with The Community Health Center, Pikes Peak Mental Health, Southern Colorado AIDS Project and in 1993 was co-founder of Full Circle Alternatives, a non-profit offering women in early recovery from alcohol and substance abuse a safe and sober living environment. Susan was the recipient of the Senior Service Award in 1990 and the 1990 Volunteer of the Year Award from Glen Eagle Sertoma. And eventually she was granted the Colorado State Volunteer of the Year Award for 1997. This led to her being honored by the prestigious 1997 Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C. through the American Institute for Public Service. In 2004 she was awarded the Heart of Philanthropy from the Pikes Peak Community Foundation.
Susan loved trail riding her horse through the mountains and prairies in Wyoming. She traveled along the Amazon in South America and explored Greece, but her favorite place was spending time on the Isle of Mull in Scotland with her dear friends the Millards from England.
Susan never met an animal she didn’t like, including the bull she reached out to and said hello to, not noticing the ring in his nose.
Susan has left her mark in the hearts of many with her genuine caring for others. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Pikes Peak Hospice and/or a random act of kindness for another.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care on May 6th, 2017.