Susan Angelo, 76, longtime resident of Pagosa Springs, completed her journey on earth on March 25. Sue died peacefully at home with family members by her side.
Susan was born on Sept. 6, 1944, to Elizabeth and Theron Holmes in Brainerd, Minn. She was later adopted by Roscoe Fawcett and, after her marriage, chose Fawcett as her middle name.
During her adolescent years, Sue attended the Emma Willard School for girls in New York State. After graduation, she returned to Minnesota and studied recreation therapy in college classes. On a skiing trip to Colorado, she met James Angelo, whom she married in Steamboat Springs in May of 1973. Jim and Sue moved to Pagosa Springs in 1974, where Jim was hired as a real estate salesman for Eaton International.
Using her recreation background, Sue was hired as the activities director for Eaton International. She organized many popular local events including the first Pagosa Mountain Man Rendezvous and Logger Days. Along with other Eaton salespeople, Sue and Jim formed Pagosa Realty Inc., one of Pagosa’s first independent real estate firms. Those years were fun times spent with friends and family. Sue enjoyed golfing, skiing, hunting and travel.
During this period, Sue developed a passion for raising and breeding cairn terrier dogs. She established a reputation as a respected breeder and loved traveling the show circuit with her dogs. Her involvement in this arena led to many of the lifelong friendships which she cherished. At the time of her death, two of her cairns, Arnie and Lyric, were her constant companions.
In the early 1980s, Sue took over the role of rental property manager for clients of Pagosa Realty Inc. In the early 1990s, Sue and her partner, Jean Zirnhelt, became an independent property management business, Pagosa Realty Rentals LLC, where Susan served as the broker. They managed rentals in the area until selling the business and retiring in 2016.
In March of 1983, Sue and Jim were blessed with the birth of their son, Michael. Michael brought much joy to Sue’s life that she would not have otherwise experienced. Sue was a caring mother who encouraged Michael in educational and extracurricular pursuits. She remained proud of his many accomplishments.
Susan is survived by her son, Michael, of Durango, Colo.; her sister-in-law, Catherine Fawcett, of Reno, Nev.; her nephew, Roger Fawcett (Cammie), of Honolulu, Hawaii, and their children, William and Elizabeth; and her nephew, Thomas Fawcett (Gab) and their daughter, Maya, of Lafayette, Calif. She leaves behind many close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents, Roscoe and Elizabeth Fawcett; and three siblings, Mary, Sally and Tom.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
