Susan Kelly Henderson

Susan Kelly Henderson, beloved mother, caring wife, and cherished friend, passed away on February 7, 2024, in Denver, Colorado at the age of 77.

Born Suzanne Woodward on September 10^th, 1946 to adoring parents Wallace Wayne Woodward and Julianne Seitz Woodward, she grew up in Wichita, Kansas until the fifth grade. Following her father’s retirement as a Major in the Air Force, Sue moved with her parents and two siblings to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She attended Cheyenne Mountain High School where she was president of student council, a debutante, a part-time model and a member of the speech and debate team. Upon graduation she enrolled at the University of Colorado at Denver, earning her Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing.  

In nursing school, Susan met a young doctor from Pennsylvania performing his residency. Susan and Glenn Kelly were married in 1967, settling in Denver and having three boys: Scott, Brian, and Matthew. They later moved to Cherry Hills, raising their children on Martin Lane. Susan was a caring, fun-loving, and involved mother to her sons, their friends and even her “adopted daughters”, the three German au pairs who came to live with the family. She could be found running carpools, planning birthday parties, building snow sculptures, or hosting her famous holiday soup party.

While her sons were young, Susan used her nursing background to teach childbirth and parenting classes from 1969 to 1980. Once her boys were older, Susan went back to school at the University of Denver, earning her Master of Business Administration in 1985. Starting her own firm, Susan worked as a Management Consultant, Facilitator and Trainer, teaching courses such as management training, team effectiveness, and conflict management to businesses, government agencies, universities, and non-profits across the United States and even in Europe. She worked as an Adjunct Professor for Metropolitan State University of Denver (86-87) and Regis University (91-92). Susan and Glenn were divorced in 1989.

In addition to her professional successes, Susan was heavily involved in the Junior League of Metro Denver and, like her father Wally, her local Rotary chapter. These and similar pursuits brought her to help many people domestically as well as internationally, doing charitable work in Africa, Poland, Thailand, Mongolia, and China. Additionally, Susan served as President of Cherry Hills Rancho Water and Sewer District, President of the Arapahoe County Medical Auxiliary, served on the Board directors for Porter Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Leadership Denver Associates, was Vice President Junior League Denver, and member of 50 for Colorado.

Through mutual friends, Susan met her second husband, Gerald “Jerry” Henderson. The two were married in 1997 and spent many happy years together, biking, traveling the world, exploring culinary pursuits, hosting book clubs, and doting on their combined 11 grandchildren. Jerry passed away in April 2023 with Susan finally succumbing to Alzheimer’s 10 months later.

Susan was intensely smart, a voracious reader, deft card player and absolutely world-class cook. She carried herself with the impeccable grace and manners instilled in her by her father, yet countered it with a kooky and comedic wit that left others in stitches. Susan leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, laughter, and unwavering strength. She has impacted so many lives with her nurturing, teaching, support, and humor. She will be deeply missed by her children and stepchildren, grandchildren, extended family, and legions of dear friends. 

FUNERAL SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10:00am WEDNESDAY MARCH 20^TH, 2024

ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL – 1350 WASHINGTON STREET – DENVER, COLORADO – 80203

WITH A RECEPTION TO FOLLOW ON PREMESIS