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A Quiet Legacy with a Lasting Impact: Remembering Karen “Susie” Keysor
Karen “Susie” Keysor never sought recognition. She simply cared deeply for her neighbors and quietly found ways to make her community better.
A longtime Gypsym resident, Susie spent many of her working years at City Market in Vail, where she became a familiar and friendly face to countless local families. She lived humbly, was loved by many, and generously gave her time as a volunteer at The Community Market, a program of Eagle Valley Community Foundation.
Through her service, Susie saw firsthand what it means when neighbors show up for one another. She understood that something as simple as a welcoming smile, a bag of fresh groceries, or a helping hand can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
After Susie’s passing, we learned that she had included both Eagle Valley Community Foundation and The Community Market in her estate plans.
Her gift came as a profound and humbling surprise. It also arrived at exactly the right time.
As more local families turn to The Community Market for support, Susie’s generosity is helping EVCF respond to immediate needs while strengthening our ability to serve the community for years to come. Her legacy will help ensure that families throughout Eagle County can continue to access fresh produce, nutritious food, and essential resources in a welcoming environment rooted in dignity and choice.
A Legacy Is Within Reach for Everyone
Susie’s story is a powerful reminder that leaving a legacy can take many forms. A meaningful legacy is not defined by the size of a gift. It begins with someone who cares deeply about a cause or community and chooses to carry those values forward.
A planned gift can be a personal and flexible way to make a lasting difference. Even a small percentage of an estate, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other asset can create meaningful change while allowing individuals and families to prioritize their current needs and loved ones.
Susie lived a modest life defined by compassion, service, and care for her neighbors. Through one thoughtful decision, those values will continue to nourish and strengthen the community she called home.
Introducing the 8150 Legacy Society
In recognition of Make-A-Will Month, Eagle Valley Community Foundation is honored to introduce the 8150 Legacy Society.
Named for the elevation that connects many of the mountain communities we serve, the 8150 Legacy Society recognizes individuals and families who have chosen to invest in Eagle County’s future through a planned gift, bequest, beneficiary designation, or endowed fund.
Members may choose to be recognized publicly, helping inspire others to consider their own legacy, or they may remain anonymous. There is no minimum gift required, and you do not need to disclose the estimated value of your commitment.
Most importantly, the 8150 Legacy Society is about honoring the values behind each gift and understanding the difference each donor hopes to make.
Legacy gifts can support Eagle Valley Community Foundation as a whole or be directed to a specific area of work, including:
- The Community Market and long-term access to nutritious food
- MIRA and its culturally responsive health and resource navigation
- Elevar and opportunities for local entrepreneurs
- EVCF’s endowment and future community needs
Unrestricted legacy gifts are especially powerful because they allow EVCF to respond wherever the need is greatest, including needs we may not yet be able to anticipate. Susie’s gift demonstrated just how important that flexibility can be.
What Will Your Legacy Make Possible?
Creating or updating a will is one of the most meaningful steps you can take to care for the people and causes that matter to you. It provides clarity for your loved ones, reflects your values, and gives you the opportunity to shape the future of your community.
A legacy gift can be as simple as including a sentence in your will or naming Eagle Valley Community Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement account, donor-advised fund, or life insurance policy. We always encourage donors to consult with their attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional to determine which option is best for their circumstances.
Every legacy begins with a decision about what matters most.
Susie made hers quietly, without expectation of recognition or praise. Because she did, local families will continue to experience her kindness for generations.
That is an extraordinary legacy.
Begin a Legacy Conversation
If you are considering including Eagle Valley Community Foundation in your estate plans, we would be honored to have a confidential, no-pressure conversation with you. You do not need to have every detail decided, and you will never be asked to disclose the value of your gift.
If you have already included EVCF in your plans, please let us know. We would be grateful for the opportunity to thank you, understand the legacy you hope to create, and welcome you into the 8150 Legacy Society if you choose to be recognized.