Susan Louise Minatta

I am growing I am being carried toward the light I lack nothing Susan Louise Minatta, born in Albert Lea, Minnesota on August 6, 1949 to Ervin T. and Doris G. "Sylling" Rechlitz, passed away on Sunday October 24 at the age of 61. Sue courageously battled against a terminal brain tumor for the past two and a half years and died peacefully in the company of her husband and two sons. Sue was an inspiration to everyone that came in contact with her and the majority of her life was spent giving her time and affection to those in the Fort Collins community. Sue grew up and attended high school in Pueblo, Colorado, but moved to Fort Collins in 1967 to attend Colorado State University where she would meet her future husband, Al Minatta. They were married in 1969, upon which Sue left CSU to raise her two boys Joseph and Anthony. Sue was a very caring and loving mother, who dedicated her time to her family. As the boys got older Sue decided to pursue her own interests and took a job with the Poudre R1 School District at Rocky Mountain High School in 1980 as a teacher aide. She worked at Rocky in a variety of different roles for the next ten years and then moved to Lincoln Junior High School as the office manager in 1990. Sue held the position at Lincoln until she moved on to the Office Manager Position at Preston Junior High School from 1993 to 1995. During that time Sue's mother Doris was battling breast cancer and when it was determined to be terminal, Sue had her come and live with her family to care for her during her last days. At that time Sue contacted Hospice of Larimer County to assist in the care of Doris. Doris passed away in 1992 and although Sue had dedicated her professional life to the Poudre R1 school district, she couldn't help but be drawn to Hospice. She very much admired and respected what they did for Doris and found herself wanting in some way to work with them. Although it was a difficult decision, Sue followed her heart and retired from the school district in 1995 to go to work for Hospice as an administrative assistant to Volunteer Services and Bereavement Services with Karyn Eddins and Nancy Jakobsson. Sue eventually was named to the position of Volunteer Manager, spent time working in the Clinical Records and then again in the position of Volunteer Coordinator. She got a lot of fulfillment in her life working for Hospice and being able to help those needing their services. In 1996, Sue began to take night classes at Regis University determined to finish what she started in 1968. Sue was a very intelligent and articulate woman, who was well respected by all that she came in contact with, but it always bothered her that she didn't have a degree. Although it was tough working full time and taking a full credit course load, Sue got through it all and graduated in August of 2002 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Communications. Through all of this Sue found time to volunteer on the Board of Directors for the Fort Collins Soccer Club from 1990 to 2004 and helped shape the policies and structure that has made the club what it is today. In addition to serving on the board, Sue also volunteered as a youth coach for many recreational teams. Although Sue loved her job at Hospice, she felt that it was necessary to go in a different direction. Her time as the Volunteer Coordinator took an emotional toll on Sue and she wanted to continue her work with Hospice, but in a different way. She approached her supervisors and peers with an idea to add a massage therapist to the services that Hospice provided. As she usually did, Sue followed her heart and in 2005 she left Hospice to attend the prestigious Boulder College of Massage Therapy in hopes that upon graduating, she would be able to go back to work for Hospice providing Healing Touch and Reiki massage to the patients. Sue graduated from Boulder College of Massage Therapy in April of 2006 with Honors. She earned the Community Service Award for having the most internship and community service hours in her class. Those that were fortunate enough to have a massage from Sue said that she was particularly gifted in Reiki massage. Sue very much believed in the healing power of touch and anyone who ever came in contact with her was truly blessed. Sue was a vibrant and loving woman who truly lived her life the way that she wanted. She never let herself get tied down by what she was supposed to do; she did what she wanted to do. Sue loved to travel and share those experiences with her family and friends. She frequently visited Akumal, Mexico where she would be the first one in the water at Half Moon Bay to catch a glimpse of the sea turtles. She loved to go hiking with her "committee" of friends. Sue just loved to live. You cannot sum up Sue's life in a word, a paragraph or even a book. She was truly an amazing person, whose whole life was dedicated to caring for and helping others. Upon learning of her brain tumor in February 2008 she was an inspiration to all she came in contact with for her bravery and determination in the way that she battled the disease that finally took her life. She is survived by her loving husband, Al Minatta; her two sons, Joseph and Anthony Minatta; her brother, Anthony Greer Rechlitz; and sister, Mary Rechlitz, brother in laws, John Cindy, and Sam; and many nieces and nephews. Susie will be sorely missed by all especially dear friends Billie Mohr, Joyce and Tony Bonanno and her "Committee." A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday at 11:00a.m. at Timberline Church, South Auditorium, 2908 S. Timberline Rd. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

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Susan Louise Minatta

August 6, 1949 - October 24, 2010