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Susan Galloway ‘Sue’ Coldwell | 73 | Pleasant Hill

Susan Galloway “Sue” Coldwell, 73, of Pleasant Hill, IL passed away Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Calhoun Care Center in Hardin.
Sue was born Feb. 15, 1949 in Pittsfield, the daughter of Robert and Betty Galloway. She married Joe Coldwell on May 29, 1977 and he preceded her in death in 2018.
Sue graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1967 and Central Methodist College in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She was part of the college’s marching and concert band. She taught music at West Pike Schools, then at both Paris and Vandalia schools in Missouri before returning to PHHS to teach the rest of her career. She retired from teaching in 2006.
Upon starting her career as the vocal music teacher in Pleasant Hill, Sue built a program to instruct students in concert choir, show choir, and solo and ensemble singing. In the mid- 1990’s, she began the annual music program which is now known as Showcase. She believed in teaching students the importance of good musicianship and performance, and providing a high-quality entertainment experience for the community. She held the vocal music students to high standards and was proud of their musical accomplishments in school and beyond. She stayed involved in advising the music program even after retirement.
Sue was an active member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where she shared her musical gifts as an organist, pianist, choir director, and handbell choir director. The congregation especially enjoyed the piano and organ duets that Sue played with her friend Faith Skirvin.
In retirement, Sue enjoyed traveling and going to Cardinals games. Sue and Joe witnessed the St. Louis Cardinal’s 10,000th win at Busch Stadium on June 26, 2018. The couple enjoyed numerous cruises in the Caribbean and two in Alaska. She was also fond of trips to Amana, Iowa, and took driving trips to the Northeast Coast and Yellowstone National Park.
Sue or Nana, delighted in spending time with her grandchildren, Caroline and Joey. In the past four years, she lived in the same home with her grandchildren, daughter Beth and son-in-law Jay. She loved to watch movies, read, bake and cook, and decorate her home for Christmas.
Survivors include her daughter, Beth (Jay) Arnold of Pleasant Hill; stepdaughter, Pamela McCown (Derek Knight) of Hilton Head, S.C.; grandchildren, Connor McCown, Caroline and Joey Arnold of Pleasant Hill and numerous cousins and friends.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Crescent Heights Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Visitation will be held Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church or to the Pleasant Hill School Music Program.
Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill is handling the arrangements.

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