Susan Lafon Kersey

We loved Susan. Her sense of humor and laughter were contagious. We enjoyed her use of the English language in a unique style. She was intelligent and so capable. She had a kind and generous heart. She was and is a very special daughter of God severe blessed to know.

Susan was a beautiful woman on the inside as well as on the outside. The first time I met her I was struck by her calm, easy elegance. As neighbours in Oxford, we were drawn to each other and quickly became close friends. Susan was unassuming but I soon learned she had a mind that flew high in the sky with brilliance and flair, alongside an intellect that cut through the air. She had a gracious spirit, a generosity that climbed stairs to reach you, and a soul like a musical prayer. Susan was remarkable in so many ways. I admired her tenacity, resilience, her independence, as well as her curiosity about everything in life. She gave of herself freely with love to me and my family. This Christmas, the first without Susan, Adam and Jon spent Christmas with me and my family, which was a huge privilege. I know Susan would have loved the idea as we all partook and continued some of her family Christmas traditions, we all had a lot of fun. Somewhere in the universe she was laughing with us.

I think about Susan a lot. I miss her physical presence in the room. I especially miss her big smile, cheeky laugh, humour and wisdom. Stored away in my heart are many precious memories of us together. After she moved back to America to be with Fred, we emailed regularly. Susan wrote the best written, most interesting emails I´ve ever had the pleasure to receive. I used to tell her she should write a book. While it is not possible for us to communicate in person or email anymore, Susan remains with me when I read a book, go to an art gallery, worry about family, or simply spend time in the garden. Susan is in my heart, feeling and spirit. She will always be with me.


We´ll walk together in the garden
Spring, summer, autumn and winter.
In spring we will feel hopeful.
In summer our hands will embrace
In autumn the colours will henna our hair
In the winter we will keep each other warm
Until the sun shines again.

That is a wonderfully evocative account of Susan. As a work colleague in the UK, I particularly recall:"fiercely independent, principled, and persistent force of nature with a mischievous sense of humour...sparkling eyes, infectious laugh, and gorgeous smile."
All of that brings Susan to mind, with 'principled' evident always, but never imposingly.
It is sad to hear of her passing, but good to know that her sons were with her. Condolences to them and may Susan rest in peace.

...I knew Susan when she lived in the Salt Lake City area. When she was at Utah Holiday, she wrote reviews of visual art exhibitions, including one of a local art group, Golden Section, in which I was involved. I remember Susan as well informed about art and her writings were wonderful to read. She was lively and we will miss her.

Sending condolences to Susan's family. I worked with her at Learned Information in Oxford in the 1990s and we had a lot of fun together. I was there when she first met Fred on an LDS listserv -- they were the first internet daters I ever knew. My partner Miles was around then as well, and he helped create a Photoshop photo of the two of them together before they ever met in person. We went along to their celebration in Oxford and kept in touch for many years after we stopped working together -- the LI team had a reunion once when she was over from the US, and we were also Facebook friends. I learnt a lot from her and it is obvious from her amazing life story that she was much loved by many and will be much missed. Thanks to Adam for sharing the updates these last couple of years and I hope the memorial service is a great celebration of her life.

Susan was a very beautiful, serene lady. She was happily accepted by all when she came to Oxford, an attribute to the ward, so were her sons. We enjoyed her humour, good advice and loved her very much. She was a great inspiration to me, encouraging me when I needed it. It was very sad to hear she had passed, but happy to see her last days were made so happy by her sons. RIP dear Susan x