Sue Peterson Mohrman

Sue was born December 12, 1946 in Weston, WV to Edna and Morgan Peterson. In Weston, Sue learned the importance of caring for other people as she tagged along with her mother to visit the blind, the disabled, the aged and the poor. Sue witnessed first-hand her mother's compassion and commitment in helping those in need. Sue dedicated her life to following her mother's example. Social justice was her life-long passion. Sue graduated from Weston HS, attended WV Wesleyan College, received her BA from the University of Cincinnati, and in 1989 received her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver. In 2010, Iliff recognized Sue's ""Outstanding Contribution to Specialized Ministry"" for her work at Warren Village. Sue served as a minister in the United Methodist Church. She was founding Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Colorado, the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando. After she returned to Colorado in 1998, Sue was Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and President/CEO of Warren Village in Denver. She also served as a volunteer for numerous nonprofits in Ohio, Florida and Colorado. Sue had many things she loved. One of them was Colorado. Sue discovered Colorado in the early 1980s. She loved its sunshine, its snow and its magnificent mountains. Sue first moved with her family to Colorado in 1988. She returned in 1998. Sue asked that her ashes be scattered in the High Country. With Bill, Sue discovered the wonders of the Utah's red rock country, Yellowstone National Park and Hawaii. They also enjoyed spending time at their 19th century log cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, not far from where Sue's parents lived. Sue loved movies, the theater, and classic country music. In latter years, Sue, together with Bill, discovered opera. She was especially fond of Luciano Pavarotti. Sue and Bill attended many opera performances, including live performances by Opera Colorado and the Santa Fe Opera, as well as broadcast performances of the Metropolitan Opera. Bill and Sue met in late 1999 through their work with the ACLU of CO. On February 3, 2004, they were married on Kauai, Hawaii. Sue and Bill agreed that their marriage was the happiest years of their lives, notwithstanding their health issues over their last three years together. Sue's battle with cancer began in 1997-98 when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She was treated with chemo and had surgery to remove her enlarged spleen. From 1998 to 2010 Sue's cancer was largely in remission. By early 2011, it had returned with a vengeance— she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Between February and August 2011, Sue was hospitalized at the University of Colorado Hospital several times to receive chemo and a stem cell bone marrow transplant, followed by radiation treatment. By Autumn 2011, the Lymphoma was in remission. Sue still had a weak immune system and tired easily. Nevertheless, between the latter part of 2011 and early 2013, she was able to make a few trips to visit family, see plays, go to movies, eat at restaurants, play golf, visit with friends and lead a somewhat normal life. Then in late 2012 Sue was diagnosed with a blood disorder (MDS)- probably a result of all the chemo and a precursor to Leukemia. In Mid-2013, tests showed that Sue had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She spent July 2013 in the hospital. Given Sue's condition and medical history, there were no viable treatment options for long-term survival. At that point Sue decided she wanted to spend her final days at home. Arrangements were made for at-home hospice care. The next six months were sometimes difficult but Sue and Bill enjoyed their time together. Their tenth wedding anniversary was a few days before Sue died. Sue's battle with cancer ended February 7, 2014, when She died peacefully in her bed at home. Bill was beside Sue, holding her hand. During her battle with cancer, Sue kept an online journal: www.caringbridge.org/visit/suemohrman. In 2012, Sue wrote and published ""Journey to Renewal"" which describes the loss, change and renewal in her life during previous year - see www.tatteredcover.com/tcpress/journey-renewal. Sue loved her family. They loved her and will miss her deeply. Sue wanted to be remembered for her sense of humor, her deep love of family, her passion for social justice and her zest for life. That is how we will remember Sue. Sue is survived by her husband Bill; her mother Edna Peterson (95); her daughter Allison Jacob and Alli's husband Ian; her daughter Eve Stoughton and Eve's husband Andy and their four children--and Grammie Sue's wonderful grandkids--Ashley (11), Abby (8), Charlie (5) and Jonathan (1.5); her brother Charles Morgan Peterson and his wife Becky and her nephew Eric Peterson and Eric's significant other Brea; and her mother-in-law Jeanne (96), brother-in-law Jim and sister-in-law Sue Mohrman. A memorial service will be held at University Park UMC, 2180 South University Blvd, Denver on February 22nd at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Learning Center at Warren Village (WarrenVillage.org), Opera Colorado, or the charity of your choice. Please share your memories of Sue and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.