Susan Elizabeth McLaughlin

In Loving Memory

Susan Elizabeth McLaughlin of Aurora, Colorado passed away peacefully on December 25th, 2024 with devoted husband, Randy Heitman, at her side and three children nearby. She bravely faced a dire stage four lung cancer diagnosis and fought for six months, entering eternal life on Christmas Day at age 56.

Susan lived life with a fearless sense of adventure and joy. Born March 26, 1968 in Bradford, Pennsylvania, she grew up and lived most of her life in the Boulder/Denver area of Colorado. As a young mother, she lived in England and Germany with first husband and father of her children, Paul LaSalle, who was enlisted in the Air Force. She explored mountains and castles, visited ancient ruins and walled cities, cathedrals and museums. Everywhere she made lifelong friends through her generous spirit and boundless kindness. 

After the military, the family lived briefly in Reading, Pennsylvania before returning to Colorado. She raised three children and re-entered the job market while going back to school. She achieved her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a mark of personal pride and accomplishment. Susan had an incredible mind and never shrank back from a challenge. She loved her work with Colorado Hardscapes for over 20 years, and the people she worked with there were truly like family. Starting out at the front desk, she advanced her career to accounting manager and was working on additional accounting certifications up to the last year of her life. She said her mind was her favorite part of herself, and she put her intellect to work every day.

Susan eagerly traveled all over Colorado. Ziplining, hiking, rafting - whether it involved great heights or spelunking deep into caves, she thoroughly enjoyed all that Colorado had to offer. She always loved where she lived and being able to share in the beauty of the outdoors with her friends and family. She also spent time with her many friends by meeting up to knit, paint, enjoy brunch, and have deep and meaningful conversations.

Aside from her work and outdoor activities, she was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved to support her granddaughters’ intellectual and musical talents by helping fund their band trips, music lessons, purchasing instruments, and attending every performance she could. Her children lived close and happily met for family dinners, game night, and every birthday or celebration. She was enormously proud of each of them. 

Susan was with Randy Heitman for nine happy years but were married only a short while. Between her children and husband, she was never alone during her fight with cancer and was able to know love and peace to the end.

Susan was a born-again Christian and has achieved paradise with the Lord through her life of faith and good works towards all. She will nonetheless be missed terribly by all who were blessed to know her.

Susan is survived by husband, Randy Heitman, of Aurora, three children, Aimee (Luke) Mcdowd, Michael LaSalle, and Jordan LaSalle, of Aurora, father, Loyd (Wanette) McLaughlin, of Boulder, siblings, David McLaughlin of Boulder and Michelle Pace of Montrose, and grandchildren, Avalon and Ronan McDowd of Aurora. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary McLaughlin, brother, Mark McLaughlin, and nephew, Zachary Pace.

A memorial service will be held at Horan & McConaty located at 11150 E Dartmouth Ave, Aurora, CO 80014 on January 19th, 2025 at 11am. A luncheon reception to follow at noon through 1:30pm.

A fund has been set up to cover final expenses and support the family at this time: https://gofund.me/008a3026

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude for The Rocky Mountain Cancer Center and The Denver Hospice who gave Susan excellent care and comfort.

To watch the livestream of this service: https://bxcited.com/susan-mclaughlin/