Sanctuaries in the Snow

The Suzie W Shrine (Aspen Highlands)

The author was very grateful to receive e-mails, on November 18, 2013, from the parents of Suzie, contributing the following information about her and the shrine, to be added to this page: 

 

This shrine was created in memory of our daughter Suzie who lived a short and courageous life.  August 18, 2000 - December 29, 2003.  Her Dad, Gareth Williams, is an Aspen Highlands ski instructor.  The shrine was started on February 14, 2005 which is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, the condition that plagued Suzie's life.  We, her parents, placed things in the trees that were meaningful to Suzie ie...her ski pass and those of her family members, her painting smock, a face for a tree to represent the forest trees in Wizard of Oz and some of her toys.  We visit the shrine each and every day we ski Highlands when Sherwood Forest is open.  Several kids' ski school classes visit the shrine and place various objects in the trees.  Seppi Bogner made the Suzie W sign.  He has since passed and was the original creator of most of the trail signs on Highlands.  He gave us the sign to paint ourselves with colors that Suzie would appreciate (pink and green).  Suzie W is adjacent to the Suzie Q trail and thus why we named the shrine "Suzie W."  It makes us smile to know we are keeping her memory alive and able to let everyone who skis Sherwood Forest add a piece of history to her shrine.  Also many thanks to March Henley for providing the original photos.  The picture of Suzie with the pink boa is who we adoringly refer to as "Madame Bouvier."  Vivian and Gareth Williams.

Below are many photos of this Shrine.  For even more photos, see this Facebook photo album (you do not need to have a Facebook account in order to view the album):  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.455265971212039.1073741831.100001859201674&type=1&l=a9bd6f23e0.  

The author would like to thank March Terrell Henley for her contributions and help with this page. The first 10 photos of the shrine shown below are by March.  

If you have any information about this item that you would like to share for use on this page, please send to the author at [email protected].

******************************************************************************************************************

Click on images to enlarge.

******************************************************************************************************************

These additional photos of the Shrine shown below were taken in March 2011.

Click on images to enlarge.