Susan K. Long Obituary (1947 - 2024)

Born Feb 01, 1947, Susan K. Long attended Littleton High School in Littleton, CO. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Susan K. Long.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Birth	Feb 01, 1947
Date of Passing	Mar 08, 2024
About	(no additional information)
Events	SUSAN'S OBITUARY Susan Long, 77, of Centennial, Colorado passed away on March, 8 2024. Susan was diagnosed with ALS in September 2023 and bravely met her illness with grace, love and dignity, inspiring all family and friends who surrounded her. Susan was born in Salina, Kansas on February 1, 1947 to Francis Marie and George Donald Long. Her father was employed by International Harvester and they moved frequently. Susan went to Littleton High School and found joy in music, singing in an acapella group with her high school boyfriend, Greg Kuhn, led by their choir teacher, Russ Hillock. Susan soon realized she was a gifted singer, and actress and went on to pursue a lifelong journey as a dynamic performer. She studied her craft at the University of Colorado Boulder, followed by the Seagle Colony in New York. She enjoyed a long professional career in opera, musical theater, plays, film, TV, voice-overs, and sang leading roles in over 85 productions in New York, Los Angeles and throughout the U.S. Her favorite stage productions included: Company, Side By Side By Sondheim, Starting Here, Starting Now, Phantom, Hello, Dolly!, Nine, Red Hot & Cole, Anything Goes, Sound of Music, Mother Courage, Babes In Arms, and five productions of A Little Night Music. She was a 60-year member of the Actor's Equity Association. After putting down roots in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Susan gave birth to her daughter, Katherine (Kaytee) Marie Long, in 1987, with father Joseph Lombardo. She raised Kaytee within the warm theater community of Minneapolis. Susan performed many productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and throughout Minneapolis, her last being State Fair which held a special place in her heart as Kaytee was also a cast member. In 1998, Susan relocated herself and Kaytee to Littleton (now Centennial), Colorado to support her mother and to be closer to her sister Marilee Long-Saxe. In 2004, Greg Kuhn and Susan were reunited at a Christmas party hosted by their high school choir teacher, Russ Hillock. Susan was always thinking of her community. She deeply valued donating blood and volunteered for many years at The Gathering Place in Denver. Susan viewed life as a gift. Her presence, musical talents, love for her family, friends and Mother Earth have left the world a more meaningful, beautiful, loving and compassionate place. She carried this note in her billfold from her father, long after he passed: “Susie, life offers many treasures, most valuable of which are health, a happy home, true friends, peace of mind, and peace with God.” Susan is survived by her daughter Katherine and son-in-law Noah Becker; her nephew Gareth Saxe, his wife Meredith Goldburg Saxe and their son Griffith; her partner Greg Kuhn and his two daughters Chelsea Kuhn and Wendy Heigel; and many loving friends. She will forever be carried in our hearts. Memorials may be made in Susan’s name to Heifer International (select “Give One Time”) and/or ALS United Rocky Mountain. Susan’s family will be planning a memorial service in Centennial, CO for spring/summer. You can email Kaytee at kaytee@diyprgroup.com with photos for the memorial. This quote sums up Susan’s outlook and love of life: “Life is a feast, if you know where to look.” - Susan Long