Evelyn Sue Kerrigan

The rolling farm fields of Indiana welcomed a blue-eyed beauty on September 17, 1936. Evelyn Sue (Ravaux) Kerrigan was born in Hartford City, Indiana, to George and Marie (Knecht) Ravaux; Sue was the second daughter of four girls. She passed peacefully in the company of her children. Her death succeeds her husband, parents, sisters, Jeanne Newburg Ravaux and Mary Jo Hancock. Playing on her grandfather’s farm south of Hartford City with her siblings and cousins cultivated a love for discovery. The cinema’s geographical previews of the countryside and mountains instilled a desire to live in the West. This desire came to fruition after finishing nursing school at St.Vincent School of Nursing in Indianapolis. Sue and three girlfriends packed their bags and headed to the mountains. They landed in Colorado and pursued a bachelor of science at the University of Denver (DU). The collegiate life at DU and the beautiful peaks were a dream come true enhanced by a handsome Regis student named William (Bill) Kerrigan, who she met on a blind date set up by Bill’s sister Mary Ellen. On June 6, 1958, they married in Hartford City, Indiana. These newlyweds settled at an elevation of 11,360 ft in the mining town of Climax, Colorado, and began their incredible adventure together rooted in the deep catholic faith and filled with work, family, friends, and experiences. In 1963, the Climax mine was booming, requiring Bill and Sue to pack up their house and small family and move down to Leadville. Sue adapted to the demands of mountain living as naturally as she took to skiing. She was very clever at multitasking while being a busy wife to the superintendent of schools, raising five children, and continuing her career as a nurse. While nursing at Climax in the 70s on the night shift, Sue would load her sewing machine, kitchen aid, and roller skates into the car to prepare to drive up the hill to work. She and her fellow shift nurses would roll around to each room to care for the injured miners and then retreat to sewing and baking creative pursuits. Christmas and Easter seasons filled the Kerrigan home with homemade treats and new outfits. She always continued to create rituals steeped in her deep faith to teach her family the importance and joy of preparing, praying, and celebrating with family and friends. Sue influenced Bill to pursue his doctorate. This endeavor took the family to Boulder, CO, in 1971-72. Everyone flourished with confidence as Sue introduced them to many new experiences and opportunities this college town offered. In 1973, the family returned to Leadville. Sue continued to raise her family, worked as a labor and delivery nurse, and pursued a degree in interior design through Aprahoe Community College. She opened her design shop called Hidden Treasures and was a thriving sought-after designer for transforming and upgrading homes in Lake, Summit, and Eagle counties. During retirement, Sue and Bill moved to Lakewood, CO, where Sue continued to pursue her interior design interest and worked as a school nurse. They were members of the Notre Dame Catholic Church. She helped with weekly blood pressure clinics, served on the social committee, and sang in the choir. Life was busy with decorating a new home in Denver, welcoming grandchildren to the world, traveling, reconnecting with friends from their college days in Denver, and making new ones. They also made the rounds visiting their children and families, who all lived in the mountains. Sue lived a creative, healthy life and catered to the needs of everyone around her. She was an avid walker and skier, an excellent cook, seamstress, ocean lover, and creative designer. Her beauty and class emanated. Unfortunately, Sue spent the last twelve years navigating the harsh reality of Alzheimer’s. Despite this challenging journey, Sue taught us about unconditional love and acceptance, made us laugh, and won the hearts of many with her bright, blue eyes and extended hands. We celebrate her life of abundance with gratitude, and our hearts are comforted knowing Sue reunited with her wild Irishman. Sue is survived by her sister, Georganne Bryan (Ronald) (Ft. Wayne, Indiana), her five children Mike (Grand Junction, CO), Kerry, Susan (Steamboat, CO), Sean (Anne) (Eagle, CO), Marty Kerrigan-Mazzotta (Joe) (Glenwood Springs, CO), five grandchildren Casey (Portland, OR), Ben, (Grand Junction, CO), William Kerrigan (Bellingham, WA) Megan, Liam Mazzotta (Glenwood Springs, CO) numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews/nieces, and a few remaining very cherished friends. Lakewood CO Services: Rosary: Notre Dame Catholic Church (2190 S. Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO) Thursday, May 6th @ 7 pm Funeral Mass: Notre Dame Catholic Church on Friday, May 7th @ 10:00 am. Leadville CO Services: Memorial and Burial: Annunciation Church (609 Poplar St, Leadville, CO on Saturday, May 8th @ 10:00 am continuing onto St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Leadville, CO, for both Sue and Bill reception and celebration of life at the Freight (320 E 9th St, Leadville, CO from 12:00 - 4:00). Attendees will follow Colorado State Covid guidelines. Masks and social distancing will be required. In Lieu of flowers, you may donate in memory of Sue Kerrigan to the Alzheimer’s Association: go to www.alz.org and click on donate Donation Link