Susan W Shapland

Susan Welchons Shapland left this world peacefully, surrounded by love, on June 11, 2025, after a short illness.
She was born to Richard and Dolores Welchons in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 14, 1952. As the first daughter and second of seven children, she was lovingly known as Susie. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to New Hartford, New York, where she was raised. She graduated from New Hartford High School, where she was captain of the cheerleading team and voted "sharpest all-around." She earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Indiana University and, with the care and support of her beloved Aunt Jinny, went on to receive a master's degree in Education.
In 1974, Susan married David Shapland in a hometown ceremony. While living in Schenectady, New York, she gave birth to their three children. In 1987, the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, which remained her home for the rest of her life. Following her divorce in 1988, she raised her children as a fiercely devoted single mother and returned to her career in public education, ultimately spending decades serving as a Montessori teacher at Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School. In 2020, Susan retired from Jefferson County Public Schools after 25 years, beginning a chapter spent as the world's best Grammie/Gaga.
Susan had a boundless capacity for love and kindness. She joyfully gave all she had to others: to her children, to the students whose lives she touched, and to anyone in need. As a teacher, she was a model of love and encouragement, with an intuitive understanding and profound acceptance of all children. As a mother, her own children were the greatest recipients of these gifts. For them, the sorrow of losing her is inexpressible.
Her life made ripples that will go farther than anyone can know.
But Susan's spark was undeniable. She was the best conversationalist, a skilled decorator who could never resist a trip to TJ Maxx, and a movie lover extraordinaire. There was hardly a show on PBS Masterpiece that she hadn't binged. She delighted in all things supernatural and extraterrestrial, and was passionate about worlds beyond what we can see. Yet she was also a devoted follower of Jesus. She was truly one of a kind.
Susan- Susie, Mom, Grammie, Gaga, Ms. Shapland- was taken from us too soon, and the world has dimmed.
Susan is survived by her father, Richard (96); her son, Michael (46), and his wife, Emily (44); her daughter, Heather (43), and her partner, Daniel (40); her son, Nick (40); her grandchildren, Elliott (14), Benjamin (12), Julien (8), and Clementine (5); her siblings, David, Timothy, Diane, Nancy, Steven, and Peggy; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Dolores (Dorsey), and her nephews Ian, Stephen, and Christopher.
A celebration of Susan's life will take place on Saturday, July 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Blackacre Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Blessings in a Backpack, a charity providing food on weekends for children who might otherwise go hungry. https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/get-involved/#donating To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan, please visit our floral store.