Susan F. Parsley (1941 – 2024)

Susan F. Parsley passed away surrounded by close family and friends on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Born Susan Madison Forsyth, July 10, 1941, the daughter of J. Frank Forsyth III and Catherine (Kitty) Arnest Forsyth was named after her paternal grandmother, Susan Madison Crawford Forsyth of Roanoke, VA. Nicknamed Penny due to the long auburn locks she inherited from her father, she grew up in Front Royal, VA, attended public schools, and graduated from Warren County High School in 1959.

Susan F. Parsley

During those years, she became an accomplished horsewoman and owner, participating in events throughout the Northern Virginia equestrian circuit. She attended the Mary Washington College and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. Susan spent her professional life in social services organizations, providing outreach for citizens in need of such support within Lynchburg, VA, and adjacent Virginia counties.

Moving to Colorado in 1983, she pursued commercial interests before liquidating a successful Denver carpet distributorship and retiring to her beloved native state to pursue her lifelong artistic penchant, opening a small Lynchburg studio. Additionally, she had a heart for feral cats, providing a soft bed and a full meal to all such feline visitors.

Susan split her time between her Lynchburg home and Smith Mountain Lake accommodation. In 2022, she relocated to Fort Myers to be closer to her daughter, Maureen (Morie) Pierce Smile.

Susan was predeceased by her 1st husband, Richard Mack Pierce of Slidell, LA; her 2nd husband, Howard Parsley of Denver, CO; her long-time partner, Randy Williams of Smith Mountain Lake, VA; her mother, Catherine Arnest Forsyth and father, J. Frank Forsyth III, previous Front Royal residents. She is survived by a daughter, Morie (Tim) of Fort Myers, FL; a sister, Bea Oettinger (Melvin) of Charlotte, NC; a brother, John F. Forsyth IV (Leslie) of Castle Pines, CO; and five grandchildren, Alex Kiusalaas, Katy Kiusalaas, Christopher Kiusalaas, Erin Smile, and Sarah Smile of the Denver, CO area.

Details with respect to a celebration of Susan’s life are in the planning stages; however, to honor her wishes, there will be no funeral service. Please, privately celebrate Susan’s memory in your own way. She remains with us in spirit.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorial donations might be considered to the Dementia Society of America, The National Scoliosis Foundation, the Humane Society of Warren County, or a charity of your choice.