Susan K. Keller

Susan K. Keller, 53, died peacefully at home in Urbana on Sunday, July 25, 2021, surrounded by family. She is survived by her mother, Kathy, and father, John; her brother, Dave, and sister, Karen; her husband, Ron; their children, Zoe and Lex; and two grandchildren, Avery and Mateo.

Sue grew up in Palatine, IL, and settled in Champaign-Urbana after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sue worked in mental health and social work throughout her career, from Crisis Line and the Mental Health Center of Champaign County (later Provena Behavioral Health and Community Elements) to the Men’s Emergency Shelter. After returning to school for her MSW, she became a counselor for the U of I’s Faculty/Staff Assistance Services. After becoming an LCSW, she also opened a sliding-fee-scale private practice to help those who could not otherwise afford counseling.

Sue loved nature and travel and could often be found on road trips to destinations near and far. Her other favorite activities were spending time with family and volunteering. She was a tireless volunteer at her children’s schools and in the community. She was a soccer coach for the Urbana Park District and volunteered with the UHS Soccer Boosters. Sue worked with NAMI Champaign and the Illinois Society for Clinical Social Work. In the early days of the COVID pandemic, Sue organized Champaign County Recovers, which linked people in need with donors, volunteers, and existing resources. Armed with an exhaustive knowledge of area resources, finding the perfect match between someone in need and the right person to help them was one of her many gifts.

Sue found joy in everything; if it wasn’t there to begin with, she would create it. Her infectious laugh, gentle humor, and relentless positivity will be missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, October 9, at the Lake House in Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.

In lieu of flowers, Sue asked that you consider making a donation to NAMI Champaign or the Champaign County Health Care Consumers.

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