Susan Peterson

Susan Petersen, a resident of Brevard since 1996, died on August 10, 2026. She was 87 years old. She spent her early life in Champaign, IL, and Boulder, CO. Susan was predeceased by her loving husband, Thomas W. Mahan, of Brevard. She leaves: a son, Albert J. Petersen, III of Boulder, CO, her daughter, Lisa Petersen Cummings predeceased her. Also surviving her are three grandchildren and a great grandson. From her marriage to Thomas W. Mahan in 2005 she leaves two stepchildren: Maureen Mahan Copelof of Brevard and Thomas Brendan Mahan of Canada.

In 1983, Susan attended the Boulder School of Massage and Rocky Mountain Healing Arts Institute leading to her certification and licensure as a massage therapist. Until her retirement from that profession in 2006 she was well respected as both a practitioner and teacher of massage techniques and earned the reputation of one with “healing hands.”

Her exceptional talent as a vocalist was discovered in her high school days and she spent many years singing folk music and entertaining at folk festivals and concerts. Upon coming to Brevard, she expanded her repertoire as a vocalist and, using the keyboard to accompany herself, she focused on Broadway tunes, ballads and blues in her presentations. She has given many concerts over her years in Brevard, most of as benefits to raise money for community agencies that assist people with special needs. One of her many honors was the distinction of being the first soloist to perform at the Porter Center for the Performing Arts in its opening season. She was especially fond of giving concerts to support the Free Rein Center for Therapeutic Horseback Riding and became an equine massage therapist because of her enjoyment of working with the horses at Free Rein.

With her husband, Tom Mahan, she invested much time, talent and energy as a volunteer for Free Rein and its mission to help those people suffering with a disability. Her interests also led her to a leadership role in long-standing discussion groups that wrestled with issues of spirituality, the human dilemma and the evolving cosmos.

Susan’s passion was her gardens, both flower and vegetable. She loved it when people stopped on the street and complimented her on their beauty and the pleasure it gave them.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Auditorium at College Walk.  Donations in Susan’s honor can be made to Four Seasons Hospice at Fourseasonscare.org and Free Rein at Freereincenter.org