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in memory of

Susan Keller

Susan Keller

 
Susan passed away peacefully at home in Campbells Creek on 27 April 2023.
She is dearly missed by her family, friends and colleagues.
 
A memorial service was held for Susan in Castlemaine
on Tuesday 2nd May.
 
If you would like to watch the service
a recording of it will be placed on this tribute page by Friday 5th May.
 

Susan's wish was for no flowers and perhaps a donation to be made in her memory to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

You can visit Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and click on the donation tab.

Funeral Livestream

Tributes

21 responses to “Susan Keller”

  1. Lemai Nguyen says:

    I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my ex-colleague, Dr. Susan Keller.
    She was an exceptional educator, a kind person, and a beloved member of our community.
    Her passing is a significant loss to all of us who had the privilege of knowing her.

    Susan, you had a warm and kind heart that radiated positivity wherever you went.
    In my memory, from our old days, you were always cheerful and full of energy, sharing your insights and advice with junior colleagues like me.
    Your encouragement and support helped me overcome many challenges that I faced in my early days of my career.

    Dr. Keller’s legacy as an educator will live on through the countless students whose lives she touched.
    Her passion for teaching and dedication to her students was evident in everything she did, and she inspired all of us to be better educators and mentors.

    We will miss our Susan deeply, but her memory and spirit will remain with us forever.
    She leaves behind a lasting legacy of kindness, compassion, and dedication, and we are all better for having known her.

    Rest in peace, dearest Susan. You will always be remembered and missed.

  2. Dineli says:

    There was always only one version of Susan, whether she was passionately sharing her knowledge and experience with students, sharing her creativity and intellect with a research team or sharing a drink and a laugh after work with her colleagues… Susan lived her values every day, in every setting and dealt with everything life threw at her with grace and dignity.
    Rest in peace dear Susan – you will always be in our hearts.

  3. Susan Inglis says:

    Susan was first a colleague at La Trobe University where I was teaching sessionally. She was one of my motivators for applying for a role there as I really loved working with her. We worked on designing the MBA online subjects and a couple of research projects. She was so organised, smart and fun to work with. She then joined Women Working Wonders with me and we helped homeless women. Ian and Susan recently made the huge effort to come to Ballina to our wedding which was so gorgeous. I loved her lots and will miss her thoughtfulness, her perspectives, her love of life, chats about her family and about the beauty all around us. So sorry I can’t be there for the service to remember and celebrate a truly beautiful soul. Love Suse

  4. Grace McCaughey says:

    Susan was a breath of fresh air. Her straightforward approach, common sense, intellectual capacity to understand complexity, her lovely smile, great sense of humor, love of the simple things in life. Above all her approach to her illness over the last eighteen months or so, has been a lesson in objectivity and her positive approach to many other aspects of life. This has been a great lesson for all of us.
    I miss Susan very much and will never forget her generosity, her warmth and friendship. My sympathy to Ian and all the family.
    Farewell dear friend.

  5. Ian Lihou says:

    There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more
    Than to feel you deep in my heart
    There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more
    Than to never feel the breaking apart

  6. Kok-Leong Ong says:

    Dear Susan, you will be forever remembered in my heart for the kindness and acceptance you have shown as a colleague and a friend. Thank you for inviting me to your wedding with Ian. I am so privileged to have witness this moment and to share your joy. May you rest in everlasting peace.

  7. Emilia Bellucci says:

    As a work colleague, I will always remember Susan as the sort of person who showed genuine care and authenticity in her relationships with others. As a younger academic she showed me how important it is to be you – and that this is good enough. It is a message I take with me everywhere.
    Thank-you Susan. May you Rest In Peace.

  8. Darryl Coulthard says:

    The following tributes are from some of Susan’s dear colleagues on hearing of her passing away.

    My heartfelt condolences to Susan’s family. I have known Susan since we first met as students in 1989. From that time on we shared a great camaraderie and bond both as students and as long term colleagues at Deakin and ACS. It has truly been an honour to have been her friend for all those years.

    Richard Braithwaite

    Susan was such a nice human being and while my moments with her have been short, she has always been able to rise above anything with kindness and sincerity.

    Kok-Leong Ong

    Over a period of 40 years I have known Susan as a student, an academic and professional colleague and, above all, a friend. She will be greatly missed.

    Peter Juliff

    Susan was a great collaborator in teaching, research and supervision. I shared with her projects, PhD students, grant writing, spending of funds, talking to clients, writing conference and journal papers, some good words about Deakin, some bitterness and grievances about Deakin, and hours of chat. She was ready to give away her ideas, time, emotions and friendship. She was honest, hard working and fun to work with. I’ll miss Susan!

    Jacob Cybulski

    A sad day, we knew the inevitable, a big loss. I got to know Susan during ACIS 2002 and over the 21 years I always loved her creativity and dedication!

    Bardo Fraunholz

    I have such fond memories of Susan. I enjoyed and learnt so much from her when we taught together. A really sad day. Take care everyone.

    Jamie Mustard

    Grace is a lovely way to remember Susan. I valued our time as colleagues.
    John Lamp

  9. Julie Asquith says:

    It was a lot of fun to work with you Susan during my stint in School of IS (and ISBA and its other iterations). There were tense times too, especially when you were writing up your phD…and I was probably a bit noisy :😂 for you sometimes. I’m so pleased you were able to enjoy a new chapter of your life away from the madhouse.
    With love Jools xoxo

  10. Peter & Mim says:

    Beautiful tribute for a beautiful person Ian.
    We can’t be with you, however we’re right beside you.
    – Peter and Mim

  11. Craig Parker says:

    I can’t comprehend that Susan has passed away, and that her infectious smile, enthusiasm and kind heart must now live on only in our memories.
    No words can capture the loss, or how I feel. My heart goes out to Ian, her family and her many friends.
    Susan, you made my time at Deakin enjoyable. Our team at Deakin felt more like a working family, at least for me, rather than colleagues. I couldn’t help but laugh at your colourful endearments about students, and be inspired by your dedication and creative ideas about teaching and research. Our yearly retreats were always fun with you, such as when I was Gomez to your Morticia in our tribute to the Addams Family! No matter the challenges at times, your positivity helped me.
    I will treasure forever these and many other fond memories of you.
    – Craig Parker

  12. Gernot and Waltraud Minig says:

    When we first met Susan and Ian in 2019, we arrived as complete strangers.
    Due to their open hearts, their open house, and their great hospitality they became the best of friends in a very short time.
    We were so much looking forward to welcoming both in our house in Germany one day. We were looking forward to seeing them, to talking to them and to returning some of their hospitality.
    We are so sad that we will not be able to show Susan how grateful we are for everything she did for us.
    Farewell Susan.
    Rest in Peace.
    Gernot and Wally

  13. Yee Ling Boo says:

    My heartfelt condolences to Susan’s family.
    I was blessed to have known Susan in my worklife.
    She had given support and advice to young academic like me and I really appreciate that.
    Rest in peace, Susan.
    We will miss you dearly…
    Yee Ling Boo

  14. Edyta Rozycki says:

    It was with a heavy heart that I learnt about Susan’s passing.
    Her unwavering support and guidance during my doctoral studies were indispensable, and I will forever cherish the memories of our discussions and her encouragement.
    Her passion, expertise and experience in the field were invaluable, and she generously shared her knowledge and insights with me.
    What I will miss most about her, is the kindness and patience.
    She was always there to offer a helping hand, or a shoulder to lean on.

    The world has lost a great scholar and a kind human being.
    Her legacy will live on through the students like me whose lives she touched.
    I will always be grateful for the time we spent together and an opportunity to share my PhD journey with her.

    Rest in peace, Susan.
    You will be deeply missed.
    Edyta Rozycki

  15. Walter says:

    It was a beautiful and moving memorial service today to celebrate Susans life.
    She organised it all and would have been proud of her family and friends to make this happen in her honour.
    Susan made my old friend Ian so happy and I loved her for that, and for a for her kindness, humour, and sharp intelligence. What a courageous person.
    May you rest in peace Susan. I will miss you.
    Love Walter

  16. Azni Taylor says:

    Susan was my manager at La Trobe.
    She was such an advocate for casual staff and was always willing to ‘lend us her ear’ to discuss our concerns despite being time poor.
    Susan gave 200% to whatever she did and was so open minded and generous.
    We need more of you in this world, Susan.
    My sincere condolences to Ian and her family.
    May you be at peace, Susan.
    I will always treasure our time together.
    Love from Azni

  17. Belinda Westerlo says:

    I worked with Susan across many years at La Trobe when I supported the MBA Program, Susan was instrumental in this program as Deputy Director, the passion she brought to this role was second to none and I will cherish the friendship we made over that time. Susan was one in a million, gone too soon. x

  18. Debbie Hainsworth says:

    It was such an Honor to know Susan as a very strong inspirational fellow meditator in our special Tuesday Night Zoom Meditation group. We know Susan that your spirit will be with our Tuesday night family group which you will always be a part of. Your amazing strength and ability to remain with us during your hospital stays and right up until your last Tuesday with us your spirit and resilience is to be commended. You will be very missed but we know you are with us Susan, I will take a leaf out of your book as I take my own Cancer journey on. If I can be half as amazing as you I will be very happy, With lots of love to your Husband and family at this very sad time, take good care of each other.
    Love Debbie VSU Ringwood Family Meditator xo

  19. Andrew O'Loughlin says:

    I was extremely saddened and shocked to hear about Susan’s passing and my condolences to her family.
    Susan and I worked together at Latrobe University and I can recall our very first meeting with the marketing team. We were told by marketing that the MBA degree was a flagship programme and, upon further discussion, quickly learnt that there were in fact 40+ flagship programmes at the university. I blithely quipped that, technically we actually part of a ‘fleet’, at which point Susan almost dropped her drink in her lap and laughed out loud, quickly recovered her composure. Susan was very, very smart and that she was always student focused and cared passionately about people. I really enjoyed working with Susan and learnt a lot from her. She was a great academic, with a lot of experience and a very good friend to me during my time (and after) at Latrobe, offering very sound advice and always with a smile.
    Rest in peace Susan and I treasure the memories of our time together.

  20. Geraldine Kennett says:

    Susan was passionate about students’ readiness for their management and leadership careers. She worked tirelessly to pilot and design interactive applied learning programs for MBA students, including an online and in-person boardroom simulation. It could be said that she was at the forefront of digital literacy for learning and teaching. Susan also volunteered her time after retirement, as a facilitator for the La Trobe Business School Leaders in Lockdown Program sharing her expertise and insights with more than 500 people globally. Her enthusiasm for her work was contagious.

  21. Hayley May says:

    Firstly, to Susan’s family and friends I want to express my deepest condolences.
    Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

    I had the pleasure of working closely with Susan at La Trobe University, and I can honestly say that it was an absolute joy to work with and get know her.
    Susan was an incredibly kind and passionate person, and I will always remember her for her sweet positive nature, her honest parenting advice, our laughs, and our conversations.
    She was a beautiful friend and colleague, and I feel lucky to have known her.
    R.I.P. Susan, I will truly miss you.

Funeral Details

A service has been held for Susan.