Suzanne Jay Keel

Suzanne Jay Keel passed away on October 12, 2023 at the age of 88 in Colorado Springs. Born in Indiana, Suzanne grew up in the rural town of Valley Mills and was a member of Valley Mills Friends Meeting. As a girl, she was very involved in 4H, with a particular interest in sewing, a hard worker on her parents’ farm, and devoted member of the Quaker community. She graduated from nearby Decatur Central High School, and later from Purdue University. She lived in Madison, Wisconsin in the 1970s, and earned her Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Wisconsin, before moving to Colorado in 1978.

Suzanne was a dedicated and caring educator. In Colorado Springs, she taught Home Economics at Harrison and Sierra High Schools. Her classes taught young people the art of sewing, the importance of nutrition, and critical topics in family and child development. A practical cook with a gourmet flair, she believed that “we eat with our eyes,” and always appreciated fresh, locally produced food. A homemaker in every sense of the word, she had a keen attention to detail and sense of color. Every dwelling she ever lived in, from a rental apartment in Brussels to her later home in the Springs, was full of treasured keepsakes, each with a special story.

Upon retirement from teaching, Suzanne worked as a seamstress at Simpich Character Dolls in Old Colorado City, creating the clothing that adorned their artisan dolls. At home in her own sewing room, she always found great joy “making do” with whatever remnants she had on hand, to create beautiful things with textiles of all kinds. Another great love was gardening, and she took great pride in designing her garden and working hard to make it flourish. She was a beloved member of the “Pairs and Spares’” group at First United Methodist Church for many, many years.

Suzanne loved beauty wherever she found it — from the sweeping view of Cheyenne Mountain as the sun came up, to the smallest flower in her garden. She appreciated a little “down home” Midwestern humor, a healthy corn field, a thoughtfully prepared meal, a Sousa march, and the giggle of a small child. She overcame uncertainty about new and different experiences with an inner resolve that was admired by others. Seamstress, teacher, devoted mother and wife, she embodied many roles that were central to the well being of those around her. A blue sky often inspired her to utter one of her favorite words: “glorious!” Glorious she was and will remain in the memories of her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Larry L. Cummings, and second husband, Robert H. Keel. She is survived by daughter Anne Cummings (of Lac du Flambeau, WI), son Glenn Cummings and grandson Rex Smith-Cummings (of New Hope, PA), as well as beloved members of the Jay family back in Indiana.

A Remembrance Gathering will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 N Cascade Ave, on Thursday, October 26 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Arbor Day Foundation