Suzanne Bright

Suzanne Beth Bright, born August 22, 1949 passed away on July 29, 2023.    Suzie was the only child of George and Bernice Erikson, born in Greeley and raised in Denver until her family moved to Golden in her early teens where she enjoyed the outdoors, getting together with her extended family and working summers at the Lakeside Amusement Park.  She also became a dedicated Broncos fan, watching games regularly with her father.  Anyone who knew Suzie knew she would be wearing one of her Broncos shirts and would not be answering the phone during Broncos games.    

Graduating from Golden High School in 1967, Suzie set her sights on a career in elementary education and chose the University of Northern Colorado to complete her studies, with a minor in math.  

Suzie’s first teaching job was in the small town of Wiley, Colorado but with a transfer to Fairmont Elementary she returned to Jefferson County where she taught 1-3rd grades at Weber Elementary and Kullerstrand Elementary.  Fun loving and creative, Suzie was a popular teacher and friend to an ever expanding network of fellow teachers.  Named a mentor teacher at Kullerstrand Elementary Suzie was welcoming and supportive with new teachers just beginning the path to full time elementary education including several who were starting second careers.

In 1976 Suzie met and married her husband, David, and from then on, they were a team.  Always on the go, they skied, hiked and traveled whenever possible.  In 1997 when David was selected to pursue his PhD at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, Suzie was thrilled to pack up and go.  She made fast friends with neighbors and staff at Juniper Evergreen Primary School in Edinburgh where she took up the challenge of teaching older children in 5-6 grades.  Together David and Suzie maximized every weekend and holiday traveling throughout Scotland, England and Europe for two years. They attended events, explored new places, acquired many china teapots and some bells for Suzie’s collection, but most of all, became completely enamored with Scotland.  Returning home and happy to see family and friends, Suzie resumed her teaching position at Kullerstrand Elementary, where she taught until retiring after 32 years. 

Retirement meant more time to spend with friends and new hobbies including quilting, fused glass and making and selling a line of soaps and lotions with her chemist husband. Always on the go, they pursued hobbies and travel via motorcycle, car or truck throughout the US.

Suzie’s creativity spilled over into arts and crafts and she was noted for always coming up  with the perfect unexpected thoughtful messages and gifts.  Her greatest  joy was people and she had a wonderful ability to listen and empathize with others and to make lifelong friends.  Some people are born with kindness and generosity at their core, and Suzie was one of those.  Full of joy and interested in everyone and everything, Suzie had a fighting spirit that held up even after the unexpected loss of her beloved husband after 46 years together.

Suzie is survived by her uncle John Stroyek of Goodland Kansas, and cousins Janice Cebula of Clinton, Iowa; Theresa (John) Stevi of Ft Collins, William Cebula of Prescott Valley, Arizona, and Patrick (Diane) Stroyek of Denver, among others.

Suzie is missed by sister-in-law Patricia Bright of Wheat Ridge, CO,  her extended family on both her and her husband’s side, a wide circle of friends, and two very fine cats, Harley and Stella. She is preceded in death by her husband and parents. 

There will be a celebration of Suzie’s life on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at the Applewood Golf Course in Golden, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.