Final Resting Place

Hi All,
Exhausted from the party that made the Niwot Ranch feel like a Tokyo subway at rush hour and a late night performance of the Blee Blues Experience, Steve, Terry, Sancho, and Web took Suzi's ashes to their final resting spot in Buckingham Park this afternoon.


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It was warm and partly overcast in the foothills as it will when its snowing on the other side of the continental divide and the moist air descends to Boulder. We took along a nice little evergreen tree that Michelle Wheat had brought as the first of our "Chrissy Decos". Deciding to plant Suzi's ashes and the tree in a less traffic-ed spot, we made a fairly comical scramble across a low rock dam in the creek (about 30 feet wide). Nobody survived with completely dry shoes. Terry took the first of three near headers into the partially ice covered Lefthand Creek almost losing our tree to the current. Quick action by Steve-o aka Blee-Boy saved the plan. We found a small clearing just a few feet from the stream covered in tall but dried grass and, as Terry said, "put Suzi to her final task" of growing the tree tall and strong next to this babbling creek. Due to the hijinks only one ornament remained on the tree - an angel sitting on a sled bearing a gift - to remind us of the gift that she has been to us.

After more keystone cops on the way back over the dam, we took Steve on a short tour of our more "interesting" mountain towns, Ward, in the area with a stop at the Millsite Inn for a pitcher of local microbrew beer and lunch. Then all returned home for a well deserved nap. Enjoy your nap too, Sooz.

Memorial Service Details

Dearest Loved Ones,

Suzi's body is currently lying in state in the main shrine room on the third floor of the Shambhala Center. Anyone who wishes to visit and sit with her remains in contemplation of the love and spirit you shared with her is welcome to visit the shrine room between now and the service. Please observe the visitation protocol posted in the sitting room just before you enter the main shrine.

We will celebrate Suzi's life and further journey this Friday evening, December 12th. The Memorial Service will be held at the Shambhala Center on the corner of 14th and Spruce in downtown Boulder. The temple will be available for quiet contemplation from 5:30pm and the service will begin at 6pm. Please arrive as close to 5:30 as possible to allow for a quick orientation on the temple and the service to allow you to enter the shrine room with clarity and in contemplation.

Suzi was adamant that these days be a celebration and that black attire would not be in that spirit. Please wear white attire in recognition of the shining light she is.

Immediately after the service, all are invited to the Niwot "Ranch" for further celebration of the life of a great woman who graced us with her presence. As you know she demands that we have a great party. Behavior that might be too spirited for the temple is required for the party. If you are concerned about driving home bring a sleeping bag and we'll have a slumber party.

Address: 8088 Meadowdale Sq
Niwot, CO 80503

We are anticipating that you will be hungry. Food will be served and we request you bring along your favorite beverage.

Suzi has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to one of the following organizations:

Boulder Community Hospital - Center for Integrative Care - Suzi received Reiki and massage treatments there as a part of her journey. Click here for details on making your donation.


Mipham Shedra Buddhist Educational Institute - Suzi deeply comforted by visits from Lhoppon Rechung who is her guide through this transition. Click here for details on making your donation.

Yours in the celebration of the passing of a great spirit,

Suzi's Boys

Blast Off !

A champagne toast to a beautiful life of our
Wife, Mother and Friend

Dearest loving friends and family of our beloved Suzi,

Tonight at 6:10pm MST Suzi took her last breath. She was surrounded by all of her family, her son Steve held her hand, her grandson Nealon was crawling all over her (she was giggling and smiling at this), husband Terry holding and massaging her feet, stepdaughter Reagan was holding her other hand and giving her a little water and stepson Web (we call him Chief Angel) was running his fingers through her hair. One of her two "night nurses" Helen Kearney (her dearest friend Lilie St. Germaine is Chief Night Nurse), had just read the last chapter of "Who Dies" by Steven Levine, and was also nearby. Justin and Judi Dituri both arrived close to death and fell into meditation. We all feel so blessed to be able to surround her and help her to pass with peace.

Thea Litsos was by to visit just earlier before her passing, delivering a beautiful email from Kathleen (one of her business partners from Washington state) about a perfect moment she had last night with Suzi in her heart and a beautiful sunset over the water.

Last night Suzi spoke to her family in Australia, her granddaughter Charlotte, her daughter-in-law Jenny and Steve's partner Mary. We also regularly read all of your emails and cards to her, which always made her smile.

Suzi's granddaughter Charlotte

Suzi had a Buddhist Lama shepherding her passage for the last few weeks. As timing had it, he was scheduled to come at 7pm. Immediately when he arrived, he began the rites of passage.

And so, we all came downstairs and toasted this beautiful woman. The memory that will last in our hearts demonstrates her ability to make anything funny... we made some joke about how heavy the baby was on her belly, and Web said "I'll show you heavy, I'll jump on your belly" and though she had hardly any movement left she made a sweet Suzi smirk that we will always remember.

An enormous thank you to the whole community who reads her blog, scheduled her visits, flowers from around the world, the fundraisers, the food, the calls, friends who showed up to shower her with attention and love... to rub her belly, her feet, her hands... to read to her... we know she left this planet knowing she was deeply loved.

Most of us won't be surprised that Suzi wants us to celebrate the wonderful life she shared with us. Let's remember the sound of her laugh, her sparkling eyes, her joyful spirit. So, raise your glass and here's to Suzi!

Details regarding the memorial will follow.

Suzi's late son Sean