Susan Elizabeth Panciera

Susan Elizabeth (Lensink) Panciera passed away in Tulsa, OK on November 19, 2023 after a courageous two-year struggle with ALS. Although this devastating disease overcame Susan’s body, it could not defeat her caring, generous spirit. Susan is survived by her beloved husband of 39 years, Joel Panciera, her son, Luke, and his wife, Sasha, her daughter, Anne, her brothers Andy, Dan, Paul, and their wives, as well as 9 nieces and nephews. Susan was the daughter of Everett and Mary Lensink of Bozeman, MT, who died prior to Susan in 2021 and 2020 respectively. Susan shared an extraordinary life-long bond and affection with both her parents, and some of her last great acts of love were to provide them comfort and solace in their final months.

Susan was born March 19, 1960 in Rochester, MN and moved with her family to Bozeman in 1963 where she attended school and began her life-long exploration of music, participating in school ensembles, and performing the piano and organ with considerable insight and skill. A tenacious intellect with a strong work ethic, she was co-valedictorian of her Bozeman Senior High School graduating class in 1978. She continued honing her gifts by studying music in college and graduate school where she earned bachelor’s (St. Olaf College 1982), master’s (Westminster Choir College 1984), and doctorate degrees (University of Kansas 1997) in church music and organ performance.

For the past 20 years she served as the Organist and Director of Handbell Ministry at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church (BAUMC) in Tulsa, OK. At BAUMC, Susan developed a large handbell program, expanding it from one ensemble to five ensembles for children, youth, and adults. She also had a special passion for leading worship as an organist that inspired others to sing and pray more deeply. Susan was very humble. Her playing was more than a performance; it was a soulful offering of her deepest self. In Susan’s words, “it is a privilege to bring people closer to God…to move them to a different place…to help bring them out of themselves.”

In addition to her career as a church musician, Susan enjoyed studying theology and did not avoid exploring faith’s most vexing challenges. She co-founded the “Living the Questions” class at BAUMC which has become a vibrant community for those willing to question and explore the deepest tenets of Christianity “without fear.” In her words, “people misunderstand what the church is about, and misunderstand who we are. We’re not perfect. We don’t expect to be perfect. We don’t pretend to be perfect. But we try, and we try to support each other so that we can work in the world, reaching out to all people, not just other Christians because we believe that God’s love is for every single person on the earth.”

Her professional accomplishments and musical talent notwithstanding, Susan’s number one priority and greatest joy in life was caring for others. She was a consummate listener and was most happy when performing acts of kindness such as preparing food, finding the “perfect” gift, teaching, and giving others her full time and attention. Susan’s leadership and mentorship influenced countless adults and children on their musical and spiritual journeys. Her outstanding cooking skills were as much an expression of love as talent. Her caring extended to her own beloved dogs as well as animals of all kinds. She had a lively and affectionate sense of humor and could more than hold her own among her three brothers, dishing out one-liners and friendly ribbing.

Susan will be missed every day by her family and friends. She will live in our hearts forever and be remembered for her exceptional ability to communicate life's deepest truths through music and for her loving and kind spirit.

Memorial services will be held 11:00am, Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119. 

Gifts in Susan's memory may be sent to the Boston Avenue United Methodist Music Memorial Fund, 1301 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service, 5757 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145. Family and friends are invited to leave kind words of comfort, share special memories, and offer condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.

To see and hear Susan playing the organ, visit these links:

https://youtu.be/zGzyIeqxYIQ?si=eyoXhas4HzmsTGCZ

https://fb.watch/oqtc5xIYF4/

https://fb.watch/oqtc5xIYF4/

https://fb.watch/oqtIbWQUeE/

To see Susan teaching about the organ, visit these links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdDki1V255M

https://fb.watch/oqtd_PbAeA/

https://www.newson6.com/story/5e35d9c42f69d76f6201af35/large-pipe-organ-removed-from-tulsa-church

https://fb.watch/oqtk0CU33R/

https://fb.watch/oqtle2-sDF/

To see and hear Susan directing a BA handbell ensemble, visit this link:

https://fb.watch/oqtKZVov-r/

To see and hear Susan playing clarinet with friends, visit these links:

https://fb.watch/oqtmDnGn34/

https://fb.watch/oqtsG_RUbl/