Susan Pilgrim, PhD

Posted: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 7:41 pm

Livermore (CA) resident Susan Pilgrim passed away on Friday, September 30, 2011, after a sudden illness. She touched many lives with her ferocious love for family and friends and tenacious commitment to purpose.

Susan was born in Washington, NC on January 6, 1952. She was raised in Charlotte, NC, and graduated from Myers Park High School. She received her BS in Psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. After graduation, she became a special education teacher in various school districts in South Carolina and Georgia, where she became nationally known in the Special Education field. She received her Master's Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Business Management from Georgia State University. In 1988, Susan formed two companies, Life Investments and InSync Resources, an international management consulting firm which provided corporate strategic planning, executive coaching, and development program planning services. Most recently, Susan was the Director for Talent Development at JDSU in Milpitas, CA.

Susan was an accomplished public speaker and author, having published over 100 media articles and two books, her most recent being Living InSync - Creating Your Life with Balance and Purpose. Educator, communicator, facilitator, organizer, director... all of these things describe Susan. But to those who knew her, she was also friend, comforter, confidant, adventurer, believer, and survivor. Susan was fluent in Spanish, French, and Portuguese, and enjoyed traveling, music, and networking among friends and colleagues. She was a mentor, coach, cheerleader, and friend to many people.

Susan is survived by her beloved brother, Dave Ledwell (Daun) of Sterling, Virginia, and beloved sister, Lisa Lane (Jeff) of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by five nieces and nephews; Andrew Morgan and Jaime Lane of Charlotte, NC, and Kimmy, Ginny, and Katie Ledwell of Sterling, VA. Her loving spirit will be missed by all who knew her.

In keeping with her wishes, a private family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, Susan has asked that donations be made to Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Ave, Suite 100, Dublin, CA 94568. She would also like to encourage people to donate to their local blood bank.