8 • The Beacon October 6 , 2022
Susan “ Su Suz ” Diane Ours took her final bows on Life ’ s Stage on September 2 , 2022 with her sister by her side . Cancer was her toughest and most unforgiving critic .
It was a surprisingly quiet denouement for a woman better known for her bravura performances , belting torch songs , roomfilling laughter , and a wit that matched laser scalpels with its precision . Waiting in the wings are the awestruck : Her sister Marsha ( Ours ) Duling , her brother Gerald Ours , as well as an endless coterie of adoring cousins , nieces , nephews , grand-nieces and grandnephews . She is also survived by a special friend , Leslie Locke . Additionally , she is survived by her expansive Found Families in the Indianapolis Theatre Community , The Home Loan Savings Bank , and generations of performers reaching out from the heart of Indianapolis to the West Coast and Broadway , as well as generations of audiences who will never forget the power and wonder of her deft skill as a professional singer and actress , or the depth and commitment that was her friendship and profound love of her community .
Su was well-loved by audiences near and far for her work on stage , but it was in her serving career where she really touched lives and made lifelong friends . Su knew Everyone - daytime regulars ,
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Obituaries
Susan “ Su Suz ” Diane Ours dinner / drinking clubs and families who frequented Pat Flynn ’ s , as well as late night guests at the bar who had just finished a show or just gotten off a serving shift themselves . Like all the best bar people , she knew and remembered small facts about everyone and made them feel right at home .
Preceding Su in death were her parents , George and Margaret Ours and her beloved “ Footie ”. Following Susan ’ s wishes a cremation took place and a celebration of life will occur at a later date . The family asks in lieu of donation that you pay an act of kindness forward in remembrance of Susan .
The family would also like to thank Riverside Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Crossroads Hospice for their kindness and care . The Reviews Are In ! Su Ours Was A Once In A Lifetime Experience !
“ Su Ours was a stalwart member of the Indianapolis Theatre scene known for her beautiful voice , supreme wit , and enduring friendships both professionally and personally . At the Command Players , Footlite Musicals , Black Curtain Dinner Thearre , Starlight Musicals , CTS , Broadripple Playhouse , Indiana Repertory Theatre , and Red Barn Playhouse ( Saugatuck , MI ) She forged creative bonds that continued throughout her performing career . She was known to breathe life into strong , yet sensitive women , including Nancy in OLIVER , Lily / Katherine in KISS ME KATE , Charlotte in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC , Dorothy Parker in A SYMPTOM RECITAL , Sophie Tucker in AN AMERICAN LEGEND , Miss Mona in BEST LITTLE WHORE- HOUSE IN TEXAS , Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES , Joanne in COM- PANY , Sara Jane Moore in ASSASSINS , and many others . Her Cabaret performances , both formal ( SU OURS : NO E , NO H , NOEL ) and informal ( HEY WAITRESS , I ’ LL HAVE ANOTHER BEER ! PRODUCTIONS at Pat Flynns ) will long be remembered as a highlight of the Holidays .” - Chuck Goad
“ Her voice and musicality , her wit and laughter , her command of the stage … I learned so much working with her … But beyond musical experiences , she was a friend through tough times and good .” - Paul Galloway
“ Susan Ours , the Angels in Heaven just received their new lead singer ! Love you !” -Stephen Preusse
“ After we watched my daughter , Chelsea , play Elphaba in WICKED … she leaned over and said , You did good … if I had a daughter , I would want her to be just like Chelsea .” Well , your legacy is up on that stage too . You had a hand in my journey and so she ’ s got your imprint , too . And that is what she wanted to do . Pass on her love for the arts . And her talent alone will continue to speak to that through the wonderful memories that have been captured on video over the years .” -Karla Franko
“ Her brilliance was unmatched .” -Stephen R . Hollenbeck
“ She was an inspiration to many , a friend to many more , a force to be reckoned with and someone you always wanted to have a drink with when the opportunities arose . I ’ ll always remember her belting out “ The Ladies Who Lunch ” in COMPANY and as Sarah Jane Moore in ASSASSINS at the Phoenix Theatre as well as her one woman tour de force as Sophie Tucker in that same space . Just a sampling of the memorable roles and moments she shared with us , Rest well , dear Su . Everybody rise .” -Brent Marty
“ If Su entered stage right everyone else might as well exit stage left because Su was the only one you were going to be watching . There is not going to be another like her for a very long time … if ever .” -Janet Sutton
“... there is one thing I ’ d like to share with Su , one lesson she demonstrated long before I was able to understand it . I began by saying how I could never understand why Su didn ’ t leave the Midwest and make her way to Broadway and certain success , but now I do . It took me many many years to realize how much more valuable friends , and family and community are than fame and fortune . As I hold Su in my heart and think of all the love and laughter she ’ s engendered , and think about the choices she made to be part of a community and of support to her family ( even walking away completely from performing ), it is clear to me that Su ’ s priorities were always clear . Thank you for showing me the importance of community and family and knowing who your most precious audience is . Su . Godspeed , Su .” - Bill McKinley
“ Suz was a lady that lived life All-In , on-stage or off . Everything she had , she gave . In her mind , Friendship and Connection were her holiest and most sacred treasures . The concepts were a physically tangible force in her presence . They were her shield , her armor , what held her aloft . Where most of us only light candles and tiny flames in the souls of those around us , Suz lit towering , glowing signal fires . She drew everyone in . It was only a matter of time .
She was a powerful ambassador in the craft of music , and the love she had for the Arts rippled out over generations . In nearly all our memories , she was singing or laughing . She knew EVERYBODY , had a story about EVERY- BODY , and no one could ever have us helpless with laughter as she could . I swear to you that Suz will be with all of us in every melody , every descant , every soaring crescendo . Her life was music . Now , she IS music .”
“ In honor of Suz , I have a humble request . Find a reason every day to sing , whenever , wherever , whyever . Take joy in the absurd . Tell the best damn stories . Tell those you love that you love them , and do more than just SAY it . Hook someone new on the joy of the Performing Arts and embed that love into their bones . Spread the fire of your soul into the world . And laugh , dammit ! Life ’ s too short , and too damn much , to ever be taken seriously . Live a life All-In . And then , if you are very lucky , like Suz , you will leave your audience thunderstruck , and gasping , and always ALWAYS _ wanting more .” -Kim Stickrath , Suz ’ s niece EverybodyRise !
College and career fair is scheduled
Coshocton CARES , in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Coshocton , announced its 2022 College / Career Fair will be held Tuesday , Oct . 18 from 8:30 a . m . to 1:45 p . m . at the Coshocton County Career Center .
All Coshocton County high school seniors will be bussed to the Coshocton County Career Center to meet with admission representatives , military recruiters and county employers .
Nearly 55 colleges , universities , technical schools , trade schools and military recruiters will be available to answer questions and distribute information about their programs . Twenty local and surrounding area businesses / employers also will be in attendance to explain their businesses and products or services they provide .
Any student or parent is welcome to attend . Admission is free .