In Loving Memory of Susan Keith

Susan Keith

September 2, 1952 - September 4, 2021

It is with great sadness we must share the news of the passing of Susan Keith. Susan, or Sam as she was known to friends, joined The Order in 2004 and was a member of the Phoebe Chapter at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. In 2006, she started the Catherine Junior Chapter and served as their directress. Sam served The Order in many capacities including as Province IV Junior Chair and nine years as a member of the National Council. While on National Council, Sam served as National Junior Directress, National Secretary, and National Enrichment Chair. Sam was instrumental in developing the National Enrichment Program especially the Diocesan Assembly Leadership Instruction (DALI) workshops.

Sam was an avid writer and a gifted poet, publishing a collection of her poetry in a book entitled A Soul Stirred. Sam continued to share her thoughts in daily poems that she emailed right up to her last days. She also wrote numerous, thoughtful meditations for the Society of St. Andrew and other organizations.

Many of us who served with Sam on different boards, committees or at meetings knew she had a unique gift for capturing the moment through poetry. We remember her sitting quietly listening and processing, then later offering her thoughtful reflections reminding us of the heart of the matter in all we do.

Sam suffered several health crises eventually losing her ability to swallow. Although she needed a feeding tube for sustenance, she never stopped serving, working, or writing. Her love for and dedication to The Order, despite her many health challenges, was nothing short of heroic. Many would have been tempted to slow down or even stop working altogether but not Sam. She powered through, still traveling, still working late on so many occasions. Processing it all through her poetry. What a gift those poems are now looking back, what encouragement they offer to others who are struggling and what inspiration they offer to everyone. All of it pointing us to God, to El. Her faith in her Lord may be one of her greatest legacies.

Sam’s spirit shined the Light of Christ to those around her, not only as a reflection, but also as a light emanating from deep inside her soul. While she will be sorely missed, there is great relief in knowing her suffering is over, and she is free. Now her light shines eternal.

We are so grateful for and blessed by the fact that God brought us all together to sojourn on this Earth for a little while. May God be glorified by all the lives touched and all the love shared in the beautiful sisterhood of The Order of the Daughters of the King^®.