Gilpin Supervisor Susan Brown was 'able to turn any situation to good'

Gilpin Supervisor Susan Brown died unexpectedly at home Wednesday morning at age 61.

Family members and friends remembered her for her steadfast dedication to the community, her church and her career.

“I’m overwhelmed with how many people truly cared for Sue,” said her mother, Shirley Camp. “I never realized how many lives she had touched throughout her life.”

Brown was appointed to fill a vacancy on Gilpin’s Board of Supervisors in 2016. She served as the board’s vice chair from 2018 until her death.

Several buildings in the area, including the Gilpin municipal building and Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department, lowered their flags to half-staff in Brown’s honor.

The daughter of Shirley and the late Charles Camp of Gilpin, Brown graduated from Leechburg Area High School in 1977 and earned a bachelor’s degree in English education from what is now Clarion University. She taught middle-school English for 30 years in Webster Springs, W.Va.

“The students were like her kids,” said Gilpin Supervisor Charlie Stull, a nephew of Brown’s. “When I was young, I got the opportunity to sit in on some of her classes. She had a true connection with all of her students and in many cases taught two generations of students.”

Brown’s sister, Jean Camp-Stull, recalled numerous visits to the small mountain town of Webster Springs.

“It was evident how that small community felt about her when we visited. Everywhere we went, someone knew her. She was a dearly loved teacher, community member, church member and friend to countless people.”

Brown returned to the Alle-Kiski Valley in 2010.

She loved to bake and never missed a Leechburg Area High School musical performance.

A member of Hebron Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leechburg, she routinely delivered quilts made by the church sewing group to needy residents in Webster Springs.

She organized and operated an annual bake sale at Pink Day in Leechburg, donating 100% of the proceeds to the event.

“I will personally miss her friendship. She was very passionate about our cause (breast cancer research), and she was a huge contributor every year, in multiple ways,” said Pink Day founder and organizer Sherry Price of Leechburg.

Gilpin police Chief Chris Fabec said Brown “was always the reasonable voice and was able to turn any situation to good. She did amazing things for this township, her family and this police department.”

Gilpin supervisors will formally announce the vacancy when they meet April 12. Charlie Stull said letters from people interested in filling the vacancy will be accepted after that. The board will choose a replacement.

Memorial donations in honor of Brown can be mailed to the Gilpin Township K-9 Fund, c/o Gilpin Township, 589 State Route 66, Leechburg, PA 15656; Leechburg’s Pink Day, c/o Sherry Price, 4 Morgan Drive, Leechburg, PA 15656; and Hebron Lutheran Church, 201 Main St., Leechburg, PA 15656.