Sue Nolde Brackenbury

Sue Mary Nolde Brackenbury passed away peacefully in her home in Fort Collins, CO on June 11th, 2024. Born in Chicago, IL on January 5, 1930, she grew up in Deerfield, IL. She played 1st violin in the Highland Park High School symphony and at 17, attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she met her future husband, Richard John (Dick) Brackenbury in the symphony. They were married on December 30th, 1950. Together they played with Dick’s father, Richard A. Brackenbury in the Fort Collins Symphony. Singing and playing music was a lifelong joy for them.

Making their home in Livermore CO, they ran a sheep and cattle ranch. In 1966 they moved to Fort Collins with their four children.

She was a member of the Colorado Cowbelles, the Junior League of Fort Collins, Fort Collins Symphony Guild, Alpha Chi Omega Alumni, numerous book and supper clubs. She attended services at St. Joseph’s and John XXIII Catholic churches.

Sue will be remembered for her witty sense of humor and her love of lifelong learning. At Halloween, she loved to sit in a chair by the front door dressed as a scarecrow with a bowl of candy in her lap. When children reached for the candy she would come to life! Hilarious reactions would ensue!

She was always a gracious hostess and pulled out all the stops when entertaining. Her favorite activities included tennis, skiing, hiking, traveling with family and friends, watching the moonrise from her canoe, playing violin and singing, dabbling in painting, world-class flower arranging, and home decorating. She always possessed a fabulous sense of fashion. As a child she started a neighborhood garden club. Many joyful days were spent cultivating her Asian-inspired garden into a glorious vision.

She was preceded in death by her parents Francine Fuller Nolde and Fredric Nolde, her husband Dick Brackenbury, and her daughter Ann Neergaard Fall. She is survived by her sister, Roberta Glasheen, daughter Amy Larson, daughter Alyssa Young, son Chris Brackenbury, granddaughters Nikki Cappellen, Delaney Larson, Sierra Larson, and Devon Young, grandsons Colton Young and Myles Brackenbury, and 3 great-grandchildren. Sue was loved by everyone she met and will be deeply missed.

A small celebration will be held in the Fall. Donations in her name can be made to the Fort Collins Food Bank and the Murphy Center for Hope.