Sue P. Siferd

Dr. Sue Jane Perrott Siferd passed away peacefully in the presence of family both in-person and virtually on December 17, 2020 in Loveland, Colorado. She leaves behind two sons, Michael and Jeffery, their wives Colleen and Lisa, and three beloved grandchildren Lindsey, Logan, and Celeste Siferd. Family history was very important to Sue: she kept extensive records and handwritten notes about her ancestors and cherished any opportunity to share stories with others. Dr. Siferd was born on December 11, 1938 in Bucyrus, Ohio to parents Ralph Perrott Jr. and Wilma Jane Perrott. Sue was the oldest of four children; Peter, Mary Carol, and Sara. She outlived Peter and Sara, and is survived by her sister Dr. Mary Carol Perrott, as well as two step-siblings, Dr. John S. Rose and Mary L. Rose, and her former husband, Dr. Raymond E. Siferd.

Sue graduated from Denison University in 1960, and can still be found in her yearbook in the admissions office on campus, listed as a member of the Math Club. She was a proud alumna of Denison, and made sure to attend every golden reunion. She even made it to her fiftieth reunion in 2010, which she traveled to on a cross country road trip with other friends from her class. Upon graduation she went on to teach junior high math; a skill which was invaluable to her grandchildren when they called her up for help with calculus homework (she always knew the right answer, and even more importantly, how to explain it clearly and calmly). Later on, she received an MBA from Wright State University, and a PhD in Operations Management from Ohio State. She was especially proud of the fact that both of her sons went on to graduate from OSU as well. After receiving her doctorate, Dr. Siferd taught at Arizona State University for seventeen years, where in her own words, she was “part counselor, placement director, cheerleader, as well as professor.” She touched the lives of hundreds of students during her time at ASU, and continued to while teaching virtually from Colorado. But Sue was also a lifelong learner, and always open to new experiences. In 2012, at the age of 74, she attended a writer’s conference at her granddaughter Lindsey’s alma mater, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she presented nonfiction essays about her life. She won over the hearts of everyone in her workshop, as she did with any community she joined.

One of the most valued communities to Dr. Siferd was her church. Sue was a dedicated member of Mission del Sol Church in Tempe, Arizona, and then Timnath Presbyterian Church in Timnath, Colorado. Faith was deeply important to Sue, and she was always quick with a prayer for anyone going through hard times. She also used church as a way to continue to mentor others. Sue loved to be around young people, and valued the insights they provided. She was a committed liberal thinker, and always found a way to reconcile her faith with her ideals.

In the last few years of her life, Dr. Siferd lived in a retirement community in Loveland where she enjoyed seeing the Rocky Mountains from her window each morning and spending time with her fourth cat (she was also a lifelong cat lover). During her fourteen years in Colorado residing largely in Fort Collins, she was able to visit those Rocky Mountains up close with family, and until the end, remained ready for her next adventure. She will be deeply, deeply missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttloveland.com for the Siferd family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Larimer County Food Bank (https://foodbanklarimer.org).

Sue volunteered here, and they also manage the Backpacks for Kids program that Sue strongly supported.