Susan Anderson Killian

Susan Anderson Killian, age 78, passed away on August 8, 2024. Born September 28, 1945, Sue was preceded in death by her father Orby Anderson and her mother, Margaret Rose Anderson. Sue is survived by her loving husband, Gene Phillip Killian of Orange, CA, her eldest sister Rose Sherwin of New York City, NY, her brother Robert Anderson of Prescott Valley, AZ, and her sister Katherine Anderson of Costa Mesa, CA. She is also survived by niece Nina Duffy of Norwalk, CT, and grandniece Emma Duffy, of Norwalk, CT.

Born in Port Hueneme, CA while her father served in the United States Navy, Sue moved with her family to Costa Mesa, CA, where her father ultimately advanced in the food service industry to become a world-renowned executive chef. This advancement became significant to Sue during her own development. A graduate of Costa Mesa High School, Costa Mesa, CA, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees from California State University at Fullerton, CA.

Sue accepted employment with the Tustin School District in 1970, where she remained until retirement 36 years later. Early in her career, she became the founding instructor of the Learning Disability Group. She educated middle school children having disabilities which had hampered their education. Their skills in turn enabled them to overcome their difficulties and lead successful and fulfilling lives. During her tenure, she was awarded teacher of the year. In 1974, Sue met Gene Killian while both were employed in the Tustin School District.

Sue married Gene on February 7, 1981, in Corona Del Mar, CA, whereupon the couple moved to Tustin, CA. In 1988, they moved to their current residence in Orange, CA. Their mutual interests were shared for their many years of togetherness and marriage. Throughout her life as an enthusiastically creative individual, Sue acquired great skills and expertise in the culinary arts with her father’s guidance, and then piano and viola, chorale, photography, gardening, the ceramic arts, ikebana flower arranging, spinning and hand weaving, and jewelry design and fabrication. Additionally, she recently became a student of color theory, drawing, and watercolor painting.

Sue also became passionately involved in sea-kayaking, backroad exploration of remote lands, and was an avid student of culture and spiritual concepts, having traveled to all continents of the world. These activities fulfilled and guided Sue’s entire life. She was able to smile through difficult times and circumstances, and remained hopeful and joyfully optimistic for an an always improving future, not just for herself, but for all of mankind.

Sue so dearly loved her husband, partner, and soulmate of fifty years and, dedicated to the well-being of all, intensely loved and honored her friends. Her creativity and love of travel proved limitless. She was a wonderful and dedicated daughter to Orby and Margaret, and a great friend to so many others, always seeking to warm the hearts of all she encountered. Armed with the most wonderful and inviting smile, she was beautiful, kind, joyous, talented, selfless, intelligent, funky, persistent and determined always. Her love, spirituality, kindness, and compassion had no bounds.

The life of Sue and Gene together has remained joyous and full of love always, and they will continue arm-in-arm, forever into eternity.

A viewing will be held at Saddleback Mortuary and Chapel, 220 East Main Street in Tustin, CA, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Services will be held there on August 29, 2024, at 11:00 AM, followed by graveside services and burial at El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest, CA. Attire is Spring Dressy Casual, and because Sue so adored the entire spectrum of color, bright colorful prints are encouraged.

Flowers will be most graciously accepted. In lieu thereof, donations may be made to World Central Kitchen (wck.org).