Susan Pollins

1939 - 2025

Susan Elizabeth Laansma Pollins, 85, of Greensburg, died peacefully at her daughter's home in Greensburg on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Susan was born in Detroit, MI, to Johannes Albertus Laansma and Helen Parry Lamb Laansma on Nov. 27, 1939. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, John W. Pollins III, in Aug. 2008; and her son, John W. Pollins IV, in Nov. 2024. She leaves behind her daughter, Suzanne Pollins MacLennan, and husband, Andrew George MacLennan, both of Greensburg; daughter, Christina Elise Pollins, of Galax, VA; daughter-in-law, Heather Humphrey Pollins, of Jeannette, PA; and her beloved grandchildren, Kayla MacLennan Rubens (Oliver) of San Francisco, CA, Megan Parry MacLennan of Greensburg, Ella-Mae Maude Shackelford of Richmond, VA, John W. Pollins V, and Frank Dean Pollins of Jeannette. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pollins O'Leary; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends, new and old, including her dear friend since childhood, Jerry Barlow, with whom Sue shared a lifelong friendship. Sue was a graduate of Redford High School in Detroit, MI, in 1957, and received her BFA degree from the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Design in 1961. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority, where she built relationships she enjoyed for the rest of her life. She taught art in Southfield, Michigan, public schools before moving to Pennsylvania, where she lived a life full of art, poetry, reading, and music while raising a family with John. She was a member of the Greensburg Shakespeare Club, a 20+ year member of the Dead Poet's Society of Seton Hill, the Friday Club of Greensburg, and the Pittsburgh Crit group. Over the years, Sue was a field hockey player, Girl Scout leader, ski instructor, PADI-certified scuba diver, Sunday School teacher at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg, world traveler, opera and theater lover, bridge player, and bibliophile. Always, Sue was an artist: in spirit, as a profession, and as a means of expression. A frequent instructor, juror, lecturer, and demonstrator, Sue taught continuing education programs at Seton Hill University, Penn State University, and Westmoreland County Community College as well as classes at Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Alex Fletcher Memorial Art Center, and art organizations throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and privately. She was a past president of the Women's Committee of the Westmoreland Museum of Art and served as their education coordinator and as a docent. She was co-owner of Greensburg Art Supply for 18 years. Sue was an elected, signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, an elected member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and a past officer and board member of the Greensburg Art Club. She taught more than 35 residencies under the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts/Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Arts Education program and served on the faculty and on the board of Touchstone Center for Crafts. Her work has been exhibited in over 30 exhibits as featured artist plus innumerable regional and national juried shows, and her pieces are found in private and corporate collections and in the collections of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, and the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. The Greensburg Area Cultural Council awarded her "Artist of the Year" in 1999. The Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations awarded her the "Heart and Soul Award of Merit for Individual Achievement" in 2002; she was honored as Touchstone Center for Crafts "Artist of the Year" in 2009 and received a "Service to the Arts Award" in 2013 from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. Sue was chosen as the "Master Visual Artist VII Preserving the Legacy 2020 award for her body of work, and her artwork and career were exhibited at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. As an expression of sympathy or in celebration of her life, Sue asked that donations be made to an art organization of your choice. A very heartfelt thank you to the team at Independence Health Home Care and Hospice for their grace and care. The family invites you to join them in a celebration of Sue's life. They will be hosting an open house from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with a memorial program at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Greensburg Art Center, Rowe Gallery, 230 Todd School Road, Greensburg. "in the quiet place quiet center where the self mates with the water and the butterfly," Thomas Fitzsimmons. KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME is entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.