Name: Memorial service for Susan Cummins
Start: 2018-04-09T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-04-09T20:00:00.000Z
Location: First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Cummins, Susan Leslie Easterday 77, of La Grange Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 2, 2018. She was preceded in death two years earlier by her husband of 53 years, Jerry Cummins. Susan is survived by her son Joel Cummins, 43, and daughter-in-law Dasha Davis, 36. Susan fought valiantly against pancreatic cancer over the past year with the positive attitude that defined her approach to her long and full life. Susan immediately struck people as a classy, elegant and vibrant woman, but also kind, generous and down-to-earth. With her broad smile and warm gaze, she gave people her full attention, whether she was talking to a relative, a young student or someone she had just met. Susan was an incredible listener, motivator and negotiator, and she had a way with customer-service employees. She valued family, education, church, friendship, hard work, fitness and adventure. In the mid 1980s, she famously drove through the front door of Vaughan's Garden Center, demolishing the entryway. (It was one of a few incidents in which she mistook drive for reverse in her stylish Buick Riviera.) She stepped out of the car and asked the stunned onlookers, "Did I win the door prize?" Her four-decade career as an elementary school teacher began in 1962 and continued beyond her retirement. She taught first and second grade for many of those years at Laidlaw, Field Park, and Forest Hills elementary schools in Western Springs. She also taught in Australia with Jerry from 1972 to 1974 and preschool at The Village Church in Western Springs two years. After retirement, Susan continued to mentor student-teachers at Benedictine University outside Chicago. She was born in Rosiclare, Illinois on January 4, 1941, to Leslie Easterday and Lowanda Easterday of Metropolis, Illinois. An only child, she grew up across the street from Jerry Cummins, who became her high school sweetheart, her college classmate, and her loving spouse. There were bumps along the way, however: at age 6, Susan sent Jerry home crying after she popped his bubble-gum bubble. Susan graduated from high school in 1958 and attended Southern Illinois University, where she was a majorette and was elected governor of Girls State. Susan told her boyfriend Jerry he would have to join her at college or she would break up with him. He wisely joined her at SIU, where they received their bachelor's degrees in education. They married on June 17, 1962 and moved to the Chicago area, where Susan began her career at Field Park Elementary. She and Jerry drove across the country for the next two summers to complete master's degrees in education and administration at the University of Oregon. In 1975, Susan and Jerry welcomed their son Joel into the world. They encouraged his interest in music, which blossomed into a career as a professional musician with the band Umphrey's McGee. When people approached her at concerts, Susan would occasionally remind them she had paid for Joel's piano lessons. In addition to teaching in public schools, Susan and Jerry led Young Life, taught Sunday school at The Village Church of Western Springs, and instructed Fortnightly dance and etiquette classes to middle-schoolers. She and Jerry loved to play golf and tennis, and she enjoyed running and Rollerblading for much of her life. They traveled the world together, including visits to China, Egypt, Europe, Australia and Japan. In 2013 they moved to Plymouth Place in La Grange Park, a retirement community that fit their needs perfectly. They joined the First Congregational Church of Western Springs, where Susan discovered a new talent: playing the steel drums in a church band. After Jerry passed in January 2016, she made no secret that she deeply missed her life partner. They have now been reunited. A memorial service and reception will be held in Susan's honor at First Congregational Church of Western Springs, 1106 Chestnut St., from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 9. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Lyons Township High School's Susan Cummins Elementary Teacher's Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a student pursuing a career as an elementary teacher. Checks can be written to LTHS, with "Susan Cummins Scholarship" in the memo, and mailed to Lianne Musser, College Coordinator, Lyons Township High School, 100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange, IL 60525.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Apr. 6, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Susan Cummins

Sponsored by Chicago Sun-Times.

17 Entries

Beenie Berry

May 2, 2018

Dear Joel and Dasha,
I was totally shocked to receive your mother's obituary from family in Wheaton. I had no idea she was suffering from cancer as it had been difficult to stay in touch since your Dad passed away. They were both my dear friends since before you were born and so many happy memories flood my mind. I think I still have some of the tapes we exchanged when they were teaching in Australia. She was everything you described in the obituary and more. I learned things I didn't know like the garden center incident. Wonder why she never mentioned that. I know she and your Dad are ecstatic to be together again in the presence of Jesus, but the hole in your hearts must be immeasurable to lose both your wonderful parents in such a short time. May the God of all comfort bring peace and healing as only he can. Warmest love and prayers. Beenie Berry

Heidi Lancaster

April 22, 2018

Joel (and family),

Your parents were such an inspiration and loving, welcoming people. I will never forget your mom being my co-conspirator when I sent over the Valentine's singing telegram. So many fond memories of both your mom and dad! I'm so glad they are together again and no longer suffering. They were so very proud of you! Peace, prayers, and positive energy to you, Joel, and to your family as well.

Paul Best

April 11, 2018

Dear Joel Nathan and Dasha,

It was with great sadness that I heard of Sudan's death. Your mom was a great lady, an excellent teacher, energetic person, life of any party, the soul mate of Jerry Joe and an awesome, caring mother. She was also a friend for many decades, and has filled my life with many wonderful memories: Panama City in the spring, Cubs games, choir concerts, playing bridge with them on "Snow Days" and just hanging out with her and your dad..

Her elegance was shown best in her genuine care for people.

It will always be an honor to call her a "Dear Friend:

Blessing Joel and Dasha

Jeffrey Layden

April 10, 2018

I'm so sorry for your loss Joel and the Cummins family. I recently lost my father and know the pain of losing your superhero. I hope you can get through this as easily as possible. Always keep the good memories alive.

Mary Ston

April 9, 2018

A message of sincere and heartfelt sympathy and understanding far deeper tha words can say.

I remember the first time meeting your parents and feeling instant friendship.

May god bless you and your family.

Mary Ston

S J

April 9, 2018

Please accept our family's deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother, a truly devoted teacher and a wonderful woman.

S J

April 9, 2018

Please accept our family's deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother, a truly devoted teacher and a wonderful woman.

April 8, 2018

Susan was such a bright spot in western springs- always had a fun bright car in the driveway and whenever I saw her in Dominick's she was always smiling- I think my daughter may have your parents at fortnightly -but I nonetheless knew who she was from her smile and her car -Godspeed
Pat Manetti

Tony Cummins

April 8, 2018

Joel, what a lovely obituary you wrote for your Mom. She was everything you described. Warm, glowing, smart, great with people in a loving and kind way A very special lady.
As you know, she is now the last to go of all of Moms, Dads, Aunts and Uncles that were part of the Cummins Family of that generation. They created a lot of good memories for us to hold on to and to look back on. We celebrate the life of your Mom (and Dad) with you and Dasha this weekend. They were true life-long partners, now everlasting in spirit.

Libby Pridmore

April 7, 2018

What an amazing woman! I will always remember that broad, beaming smile and her sense of humor. As a new teacher to Laidlaw many years ago, she quickly befriended me and always had time to chat and share. Thousands of students and teachers will forever keep her in their hearts.

April 7, 2018

There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someones beloved. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that your loved one is in God's memory because those who passed are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:5. You and your family have my deepest condolences.

April 7, 2018

It is never easy to lose a loved one so dear to our hearts.

Please be comforted by Isaiah 61- 1 and 2 which states God sent us son to bind up the broken hearted and comfort all who mourn.

May prayers and the comfort from others help you now and in the days to come.

Kj

Fred G Rich

April 6, 2018

Dear Joel and Dasha please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your Mom dear Susan. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14

April 6, 2018

A gracious neighbor and an example of a wonderful Mom. One evening Sue over heard Joel telling his friends he could not go to a party because he had to walk the dog of a neighbor who was recovering from surgery. Sue sent Joel to the party and she and Jerry walked my dog. Thanks, Sue.
Carol

Lynn

April 6, 2018

May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time.

April 6, 2018

Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I hope that words such as those found at John 6:40 bring you comfort at this difficult time. CR

Z L

April 6, 2018

My sincerest condolences for the loss of your love one. May you take comfort in the words found at Hosea 13:14 during this difficult time.

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