Going to church and not seeing Sue’s smiling face just won’t be the same.  I remember running into her in the bathroom at church during our stake’s last roadshow performance. She winked and told me that she’d broken the rules and driven to see the show. She said, “YOLO!!! I can’t miss the roadshow!” She was always upbeat and fun. We love and miss you Sue!

Sue was an Elect and regal woman and I so admired her.  She led the music in Relief Society with enthusiasm and we would all try to keep up with her tempo!  In fact, one might need to run to keep up with her.  She was fit and proud of it and reminded me, when I visited her in La Jolla,  that there were so many old people around her  and she surely didn’t belong there!   We enjoyed See’s chocolates together and great conversation.  I loved learning from her life’s experiences and feel so blessed by the wisdom I gained from her.    Miss her but take comfort she is surrounded by many loved ones now, too!

My parents and I went to church for quite some time with Sister Ericksen. To me, she was a lovely woman with style and class. I always appreciated how she lead the music.  My parents sincerely appreciated her as their dear friend. I'm attaching a picture of my mom Kathy with Sue, both smiling from ear to ear. Since my mom passed away, I've kept this picture near me because it shows her in a truly happy moment, and as a bonus I get to see Sue as well! Sending loving care to all family and friends of wonderful Sue. 

My wife and I met Sue over 20 years ago. When my wife and I were in the chapel, we would always go early, and so did Sister Ericksen. She would always come over and talk to us before our meeting started. I was her Home Teacher with Brother Sorensen, my wife after he died, and after my wife passed away, Sister Ericksen said I could come by myself. She asked me to continue to come, but not to prepare a lesson. She just wanted to visit. The things we talked about were her family and my family. She was always concerned about every member of her family, and her family was very important to her. Anytime they had a problem, she had a problem. So we would just sit, and listen, and talk, and she always seemed to feel better after I left. I always thought she was a very classy lady, and she used to say "I think some people think I'm a snob." and I would always disagree. One of our discussions was that she did not like to go out to eat by herself. I said that I didn't mind going out by myself. She said she missed going out to breakfast, so I said I would be happy to go out with her to breakfast, if it was alright with her, and she jumped at the chance. So, we started going out once a month, then every two weeks, and we would always try new places. We had the same conversations, which was always talking about our families. Then when she had her accident, I started visiting her once a week. It was always just for a half hour and I would come early in the morning, because she always had either appointments or family members coming later. She told me she was the luckiest person there because she had more visitors than anyone else, every day there was at least one member of her family, and many days there were two - one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. I will miss her as a true friend.  

I love Sue. We just hit it off when I moved to Carlsbad 11 years ago. She was so easy to talk to. She looked familiar to me and we figured it out it was from the years she worked at the Los Angeles Temple and I lived in that temple district. I would see her at Costco cruising around and we went to the temple a few times even though she worked there too! I loved when I could pick her up for our Empty Nesters, and loved that she was so social.  Once I asked her if she was tired of leading the music in Relief Society, and she said "No"! She said she told the bishop if he released her she wouldn't come to church anymore! Feisty Sue, but I loved that about her!! I will really miss her.  Love, Nanette McGrath

I played piano for the Relief Society for many years in the Carlsbad 4th Ward when Sue was directing the music. I loved that she took the hymns at brisk tempos, and she liked that I could keep up with her.  We made a good team.  She was a classy lady with poise and charm. 

Sue always carried herself with such grace and dignity, but she also had a hilarious side to her. She was funny and witty and insightful. At needed times she gave me some very helpful counsel that came from a lifetime of experience and acquired wisdom. Her commitment to the Gospel- to the very end -was an inspiration to me. She truly lived her faith.

I have many sweet memories of her, but what I loved the most was her spunk, her strength, her independence, and the grace with which she aged. 

Sue really loved her children, and she talked of them often. It was touching to watch the great care they gave her during her final years. My deepest condolences to the wonderful family of this great woman. She was dearly loved and will be missed.

Sue will be missed! She was an elegant woman and also a friendly and gentle soul. 
She had a great sense of humor and was always up for a social gathering. 
I remember, not too long ago at a ward party, we played ping pong at the church. Sue could hold her own and you could tell she was a bit competitive. I loved that about her ❤️ I also admired her love of See’s candies. She will always be an example to me of love and good works. 
Goodbye my friend until we meet again.
With love and admiration,
Diane 😘

I first met Sue at her apartment  in the complex on Avenida Encina, just up the street from my Sea Cliff community. I remember  well Sue's faithful, daily visits to the Carlsbad Village retirement facility to see her long term, lonely friend there at lunchtime. ( I was doing the same with/ for Opal Manwill.) There were other activities to enjoy with the residents, too, helping to make them feel they weren't "abandoned" by family and friends. When she had to go to
a health facility in downtown San Diego,  I found it too far to visit regularly...but we kept in touch.  A good, faithful, caring friend she was....

OBITUARY

Suzanne Celine Ericksen

May 13, 1925 – January 17, 2021

Eternal Hills Mortuary & Crematory at Eternal Hills Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services