Susan Ann Held

Susan Held April 3, 1954 - September 18, 2023 Leawood, KS Susan Ann Held – Beloved wife, mother, sister, Sue Sue and friend – passed away on September 18, 2023 from lung cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family during her brief experience with cancer, including up until her final breath. Susan was born on April 3,1954 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Frances “Jim” Martin Shields and Evelyn Ann (Hinkle) Shields. Fifteen months later, her sister Linda joined the family and they were best friends from the moment they met. Susan spent her childhood and adolescence in Cincinnati. She always did well in her studies and enjoyed the drill and dance teams in high school. She attended Ohio State University and graduated in 1976 with a degree in Elementary Education. She then moved to Kansas City with her mother, working in cosmetics before teaching Kindergarten at Tomahawk Elementary School in Olathe, KS where she spent the next 11 years loving her students and molding their little minds. Susan and her mother began attending Country Club Christian Church shortly after they moved to Kansas City. One morning after service, the President of the Singles Club, Rick Held, welcomed her to the congregation, and the rest is history. Rick and Susan wed on August 14, 1981 and were joyfully married for 42 years. Together, they had three daughters - Katie Held, Kristina Endres (Adam) and Courtney Schnefke (Jared) - four grandchildren (Penelope, Soren, Sophie and Winnie), and the most beautiful, love-filled life. She left her teaching job to raise her daughters, and returned to work in school foodservice when her youngest was in middle school. She loved being the “Captain of the Lunch Lady Angels,” as she was lovingly known, and then retired when her first grandbaby twins were on the way so she could be a doting Sue Sue. In addition to her husband, sister, daughters, and grandchildren, she is also survived by stepsons Rick (Jannine) and Matt (Courtney) and their children (Ricky, Emily, Spencer, Jacob, Avery, Conner, Mason). She always wanted to be a mom and felt so blessed to have the family she dreamed of, and she loved being Sue Sue. Her grandchildren returned her love in equal measure, squealing with excitement and running to give her a hug whenever they saw her. Susan was also a woman of great faith, and she was a devoted prayer warrior, keeping an up-to-date list of names and prayer requests with her so she could be praying for family, friends, acquaintances, and anyone else whose story she heard. All who knew her loved her big smile and heartwarming laugh. She was truly full of joy. Her compassion and good humor were contagious. She will be deeply missed, and we will strive to keep her legacy alive through living out her beautiful attributes. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 10am at the Wesley Covenant Chapel, Resurrection Leawood. Her family asks that attendees please wear something colorful in honor of her vibrant spirit and love of color. The service will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person but still wish to participate. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Healing House or Backpacks for Hunger - causes that were near and dear to Susan’s heart. Ressurection Leawood - https://resurrection.church/leawood/# Live Stream of Service - https://online.brushfire.com/careandmentalwellness/memorials/tv7wj5pf2h Healing House - https://www.healinghousekc.org/ Backpacks for Hunger - https://resurrection.church/service-opportunities/backpacks-for-hunger/