Susan A Cantrell

Susan Cantrell passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 7, at the age of 76 after a long battle with multiple types of cancer. She was supported by her family during her final days at home.

Born Susan Butchofsky in El Paso, Texas, on October 25, 1950, Susan’s childhood was marked by unexpected changes that helped shape the compassionate and devoted woman she would become. When she was five, her mother, Shirley, married Jerry Coulter, who adopted Susan and gave her the name she would proudly carry throughout her early life: Susan Coulter. Soon after, Susan welcomed two younger siblings, Jeri and Mark. The three grew up together in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sharing a childhood that laid the foundation for the close family bonds Susan would always cherish.

At just 14 years old, Susan experienced the heartbreaking loss of her mother. Despite her young age, she took on the incredible responsibility of guiding and supporting Jeri and Mark. She helped with homework, managed household chores, cooked meals, and even attended parent-teacher conferences. She showed remarkable maturity, putting her younger siblings' needs before her own. Her love for them was evident in the countless ways she cared for, protected, and led them. Susan and her siblings found a new chapter of stability when their stepmother Jean, Jerry’s wife of just six months, adopted all three following his terminal cancer diagnosis. Susan was 19 at the time. The challenges and responsibilities she faced early in life shaped her into the caring, resilient, and unfailingly positive person we all knew.

Susan graduated from the University of New Mexico and earned her master’s degree from Ball State University. She devoted 39 years of her life to education, beginning her teaching career in New Mexico before taking positions in Kentucky and Indiana. She found her professional home in Unit 5 Schools in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where she spent the final 32 years of her career. For the last 20 years of her teaching journey, Susan poured her heart into first grade, guiding a generation of young children through their first steps in education. To Susan, teaching was about so much more than lessons and learning; it was about making every child feel valued, supported, and loved. Her classroom was a place filled with laughter, curiosity, warmth, and a genuine sense of belonging. Susan had a special gift for bringing her passions and family into the classroom, creating memories that extended far beyond school. Whether inviting family members to visit her classroom or welcoming her entire class to her home to enjoy the lake and spend time with her collie, Jackson, she found meaningful ways to make her classes feel like family. She understood that the most important lessons were often taught through kindness, connection, and love. Throughout her career in education, Susan made a lasting impact on hundreds of children and young teachers. The encouragement she provided, the confidence she instilled, and the love of learning she fostered are her legacy as a lifelong educator.

Susan was an incredible wife and partner to Jim. Susan and Jim married in 1985, and they built a life full of love and devotion in their 41+ years together. They were soulmates and best friends. Whether traveling together or enjoying everyday moments, they treasured the life they built as partners. They raised two beautiful children, Ryan and Kate. Susan loved and supported them in every stage of their lives. Ryan fondly remembers finding her in the crowd—often dressed for an Arctic expedition—at every baseball or football game he played. He appreciates the sweet little things she did, like dropping off treats and clean laundry to his dorm at ISU. Susan and Ryan shared a love of good food, especially desserts. Kate loved spending time with Susan, playing school and watching her create things out of love for others, including clothes, window treatments, flower arrangements, and food. Kate has always been inspired by Susan’s decorating skills and impeccable taste, and knows that much of her style today was influenced by Susan. Ryan and Kate feel so fortunate to have been raised by such a selfless, loving person. She was their biggest cheerleader and fiercest supporter, and her greatest joy was her family.

When Ryan brought Kristin into their lives, Susan welcomed her to their close-knit family with open arms. Over the years, Kristin and Susan shared a special bond—sharing book recommendations, reimagining rooms, sharing holiday decorating ideas, shopping, and simply spending time together. Susan had a way of making those around her feel loved and included, and Kristin was fortunate to experience that love firsthand as her daughter-in-law.

Susan and Jim’s world changed forever when Ryan and Kristin’s twins, Matt and Cade, arrived. In an instant, the dream of retiring in New Mexico seemed a little less important, as grandparenthood gave them a new reason to stay close to home. Kate’s son Ty joined the grandson crew in 2008, followed by Isaac in 2013, completing a quartet of boys who brought Susan endless joy. Susan loved her grandsons beyond measure and never missed an opportunity to spoil them. She filled their lives with love, laughter, and memories that became family lore for years to come. There were no-parent vacays, hiding bugs, laser tag throughout the house, family vacations, cracking eggs on heads, superhero movies, countless bedtime stories, art projects, and even their own castle. Whether it was a big adventure or an ordinary afternoon, Grandma Susan made every moment feel special. One of their most treasured memories was their last trip together in June of 2026 to Orlando, Florida, a miracle opportunity given her intense treatment schedule. They covered every inch of Epic Universe at Universal Studios, rode every rollercoaster (except the biggest one) with Grandma and Big Jim, hung out by the pool, and ate their way through the park. They will forever miss her laugh, hugs, sugar cookies, and heartfelt greetings. Cade, Matt, Ty, and Isaac are incredibly lucky to call Grandma Susan and Big Jim theirs. They wish her an eternity of beautiful gardens filled with butterflies.

Susan’s love language was giving, and she gave her time and her considerable range of talents freely. Whether a friend needed help with a home-improvement project, a wedding or event, or a word of encouragement, Susan was there before they asked. She found joy in being present for others and made people feel special through her generosity and selflessness. Susan treasured her friendships and held a special place in her heart for the Baker Family. The two youngest Baker girls, Emerson and Maren, gave Susan a new purpose after her grandsons grew into young men.

One of Susan’s favorite pastimes was working in her garden. Gardening was more than a hobby for Susan. She loved designing her garden, reimagining it, and creating something different each year. Susan’s garden brought her family, friends, and visitors so much joy. Susan also had a special passion for raising butterflies, particularly monarchs and, more recently, swallowtails. She planted milkweed, carefully collected butterfly eggs, and nurtured them through their remarkable transformation. She shared her passion with the grandboys and the Baker children, who had the opportunity to release butterflies alongside her. These special moments created lasting memories and allowed Susan to share her love of nature with the children she cherished. Watching the butterflies take flight was a beautiful example of why she put care, patience, and love into everything she did.

Travel was another great joy in Susan’s life, especially during her retirement years. She cherished the opportunity to explore new places, experience new adventures, and create lasting memories with the people she loved. Some of her happiest times were spent traveling to California and New Mexico to visit extended family. She and Jim also loved exploring different regions of the United States and discovering the beauty of our National Parks. One of their greatest adventures was an African safari, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed them to see the magnificent Big Five. Susan and Jim especially treasured traveling with their children and grandchildren, making every trip special and finding countless ways to spoil them along the way. For Susan, it wasn’t just about the places she visited, but the people beside her. Those adventures brought her immense happiness and created memories that her family will cherish forever.

In the final years of her life, Susan faced significant health challenges. She won her fights against multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis, with which she was diagnosed in 2022. Her chemotherapy treatments caused acute myeloid leukemia, which she battled for the past year. To paraphrase the late, great comedian Norm MacDonald, the last fight has to at least be considered a tie. Throughout this difficult journey, Susan never complained about her illnesses. She continued to approach life with the same grace and appreciation for others that had always defined her. She was especially grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for her, not only for their medical expertise but for the compassion, kindness, and genuine care they showed her as a person. We are forever grateful to Dr. Hwan Jeong of MIHOA, Dr. Jayesh Mehta of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and their dedicated teams for the comfort they provided Susan and our family throughout her journey.

Susan is survived by her husband, Jim Cantrell; her son, Ryan (Kristin) Cantrell; her daughter, Kate (Justin) Hawkins; her cherished grandsons, Cade and Matthew Cantrell and Ty and Isaac Allaria; her mother, Jean Whiteside; her sister, Jeri (Eddie) Santillanes; her brother, Mark (Julie) Coulter; many adoptive step-siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Susan’s honor to The Baby Fold in Normal, Illinois. The Baby Fold is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building brighter futures for children and families throughout Central Illinois who need it most. Donations can be made online at The Baby Fold or mailed to:

The Baby Fold

108 E. Willow Street

Normal, IL 61761

A Celebration of Life honoring Susan will take place on Friday, December 4th from 4:30-7:30 at E-Free Church (2910 East Lincoln Street) in Bloomington, Illinois. All are welcome to visit and share memories, reflect on her beautiful life, and celebrate the many ways she touched the hearts of those she knew and loved.

A private service honoring Susan’s life will be held on Saturday, December 5th, followed by her interment.

Condolences and memories may be shared through EastLawnMemorial.com