Susan Karen Mancuso

1948 - 2025

Susan Karen Mancuso

September 6, 1948 - April 27, 2025

Bellingham, Washington - Susan, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed from our midst on April 27, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer. She will be fondly remembered for having touched and affected the lives of many students and professional colleagues, as well as our family and friends.

Susan was born in Los Angeles, CA. and graduated from Morningside High School in Inglewood, CA., where she met Jim.

She was accepted to UCLA and graduated, then married Jim and they moved to Bellingham in Feb., 1971. She then was admitted to WWU and was accepted to their Masters program. Susan then found a career in higher education at Whatcom Community College and a new program. She then became Dean of Students. She continued her pursuit of education and acquired a PHD from the University of Washington in Higher Education. Susan then became a professor and chair at Western Washington University until her memory faltered and she retired.

After retirement she stayed very busy with the League of Women Voters and channeled her energy in many workshops for the league. Her favorite league saying was "Voting is not a spectator sport". She ended her time with the league with Alzheimer taking more of her capacity to function.

Susan loved many activities, such as cooking, gardening, traveling, reading, fishing, and especially hanging out with family and friends.

Jim cared for Susan for five years and admitted her to Silverado Care Center on June 29, 2023. Susan was loved by all staff members, she almost always happy and could shimmy her shoulders in the hallways making everyone happy. Jim was forever grateful that Susan was always happy to see him and grateful that she remembered her family members right to the end.

Jim has the highest regard for everyone at Silverado Care Center. The staff consistently showed love, kindness, professionalism, and always knew that to do in every situation. Whatcom Hospice was called when the end was near and their kindness will always be remembered by Jim and family.

One of Susan's favorite stories is about fishing one day with Jim, off the coast of Vancouver Island, surrounded by charter boats, she got a salmon bite, she stood in the center of the rocking boat and set the hook like a pro. We landed the fish and when she sat down and said, "you know why I wear this pink coat?", and I said "no", she said "I want to show all these men that a woman can fish as well as them"; sounds like her.

Susan leaves behind her daughter Jennifer Morrow, grandchildren Yale and Ella Morrow, sisters Barbara Rognlen, Connie Harsell, Peggy Ellertson, and husband Jim.