Susan M. Authement

Susan M. Authement of Fort Collins went home to Jesus and her beloved mother, Jean, on April 10, after a valiant battle with cancer. Susan known as Susie was born in Victoria, TX, 1951, to Jean and Robert Burks. Her family moved many times following the career of her father, a renowned nuclear engineer. Susie attended junior college at American River College in Sacramento, CA, where she earned her Associate in Arts degree in Education. She was proud of her accomplishments as a song-leader, which led to her selection as a Camellia Princess for the state of California. Her success led to an invitation to cheer for the NFL San Francisco 49ers for $35 – the beginnings of what would become paid professional cheerleading. After her time as a 49ers cheerleader she attended the University of Nevada-Reno, and earned her BS in Education. This prompted a move back to Victoria, TX, where she earned her MS is Early Childhood Education, Gifted and Handicapped Specialization, at the University of Houston-Victoria. Susie taught public school for ten years in Victoria where she met the love of her life Roland Authement, a physician practicing medicine in a private practice. Married August 21, 1982, they later gave birth to their beautiful son, Robert Brooks, in 1983. The family moved to Fort Collins in 1991 whereupon Susie dedicated herself to supporting her son's education. She was the Secretary of the Johnson Elementary School PTO and was very active in children's theater. Susie was the Patron Chairman of the Fort Collins Children's Theatre, and dedicated many hours to the Peanut Butter & Jam and Fall Children's Theatre Productions at the Lincoln Center. When confronted with an empty nest, she felt compelled to continue her work with children. She worked five years at the CSU University Children's Center, where she was loved by co-workers and the families of "her babies." She was lured away from the UCC to become a private nanny for the Gieser family, where she helped raise her beloved Taylor and JP. Susie then returned to the CSU Sunshine House and worked into 2012. Her work here was the joy of her life, and her loving co-workers will sorely miss her bright smile and quick wit. Susie was blessed with her surrogate grandchildren, Christian and Rylan Smith, and Jesse and Hayden Wood, who loved her dearly. Susie's greatest gift was the opportunity to bestow her love of children upon her friends' children and share in their lives. Her life was most fulfilled with the 2012 birth of her granddaughter Coral Rose. Susie's other passion was to read. She had many friends at the Poudre River Public Libraries, including the Librarians whom she dearly loved. She felt a great sense of pride when asked to contribute "Books I Love" for the Library. Susie is survived by her most beloved husband, Roland; her son, Brooks and his daughter Coral Rose; her daughter, Mandy, and her daughter Ashley; her brothers John and David Burks Deborah and her beloved nephew Shawn; and, her sister, Sandra. Susie was blessed with true friends in Fort Collins, including Jenny Wood, Andrea Smith and Kathy Partin. Susie shared lifelong love and friendship with Carmen Lockstedt, dear friend and counselor with whom she taught in Texas, Betsy Bailey and Rozlyn Collins, with whom she raised children together in Victoria, and Diana Woodard, a family friend since birth. The family thanks on Susie's behalf, her warrior in battle, oncologist Dr. Matthew Sorenson, AKA Dr. Sweet, her radiologists, Dr. Joshua Petit and Dr. Lee McNeeley, and the many kind and compassionate nurses and caretakers who helped her with her journey. Susie always said how blessed she was to have the opportunity to know these special people. A visitation will be held on Monday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Bohlender Fuenral Chapel. A Funeral Service for Susie will be held at the Bohlender Funeral Chapel on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Entombment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Poudre River Friends of the Library or the American Cancer Society in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

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Susan M. Authement

April 12, 1951 - April 10, 2013