Susan Mary Kistler

Susan Laughlin Kistler

June 2, 1910—September 7, 2013

Susan Laughlin Kistler was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and is now wrapped in the loving arms of her Lord at age 103. Her parents, Paal Cree Swisher and Henrietta La Buhn Swisher moved to Lima, Ohio where her father started a Standard Oil subsidiary. She was the oldest of four daughters. In Lima, Susan married William S Laughlin and they had two children- William S Laughlin Jr. and Linda Laughlin (Corson). They moved to Glendale, California in 1938.
With the start of W.W.II, Lockheed Aircraft Corp. hired an attractive, bright young lady. They quickly recognized Susan's special listening skills and asked her to initiate a Woman's Councilor program to deal with the sudden influx of women into the aircraft industry. Her success in retaining women in a hostile work environment caught the eye of top management. She then also began working the Public Relations Dept. where she became the "Lockheed voice" with more than 22 women's organizations. Susan was the driving force developing the Child Care Centers which allowed women to remain in the workforce during the critical war years. After the war was over she rounded her career as Assistant Director of Personnel with Collier Chemical and Office manager for Capital Research. She "retired" in Laguna Beach where she owned and operated a gift store filled with quality goods.
Susan is survived by her son, William and his wife, Sally, their two children, Christy James (Bob) and Scott Laughlin (Alexandra) and two great-grand children (Tori and Candace) and her daughter, Linda Corson and her husband, Jim, three children, Dan Corson (Berndt), Jeff Corson (Nancy) and Julie Peoples (Jim) and 6 great-grand children (Isaac, Naomi, Joshua, Hannah, Caleb and Olivia). She is also survived by her sisters Virgina Lutman and Jaquie Webb.
The family wishes to thank Partners in Care- Hospice, Bend, OR and the care-givers of Clare Bridge for the love and care provided to Susan. Private services will be held at Forest Lawn- Hollywood Hills, California