Written by Coronado Historical Association Volunteer Carol Pastor
This article was originally published in the March 2024 Issue of Coronado Magazine. To read this article and more from Coronado Magazine, the button below.
Susan Keith, a name familiar to all who have lived in Coronado for more than a few years. She was a child of the WWII years, born in 1941, at the old Family Hospital at Naval Air Station North Island. She says not many can claim that. She was born into a Navy family whose careers now span generations. Like so many other navy children she attended many schools, some in Coronado, others in Washington, D.C. She remembers her early years at Miss Bunny’s preschool in Coronado.
Susan grew up with two brothers, both of whom joined the Navy. After completing two years of college she returned to Coronado to manage the family household and help her mother with her invalid father. She ultimately married and had three children of her own, all of whom now live within thirty minutes of Coronado. Those three have now given her nine grandchildren of whom she is extremely proud. Remarkably, they gather every Sunday with Susan for dinner, adults, children, and dogs alike.
Once her children were grown and out of the house, Susan had time to give to her community, Coronado. Susan followed in her mother’s footsteps dedicating her life to service. Her mother Eleanor Ring Storrs was a longtime Coronado resident who served the town in many ways. Her long list of achievements includes being a founding member of the Coronado Historical Association, Coronado Hospital Auxiliary, and the Coronado Playhouse Coronets. She was one of the original members of the Coronado Floral Association and Coronado Fourth of July Committee. To this day, each organization continues to host two of Coronado’s most beloved traditions: the Coronado Flower Show and the Fourth of July parade. Her dedication to Coronado extended into serving as a City Council member. She also served as President of the Coronado Republican Women’s Club where she has been recognized nationally as California’s “Republican Grand Lady.”
Susan herself served on the City Council for six years, as well as on the Planning Commission, Historic Resource Commission, and the Library Board of Trustees. As a member of Crown Garden Club she is still an organizer of events when called upon and was a longtime volunteer at the Coronado Flower Show. Above all, Susan has a love for Coronado history, only natural after her mother helped found the Coronado Historical Association. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Coronado Historical Association, been President, volunteered on and chaired several committees and currently serves on the Collections Committee, selecting artifacts to be included in CHA’s collection. “We are a special town and special people” with CHA helping to keep our heritage alive. With the long history of her family in Coronado she continues to donate items to the CHA museum to add to their collections.
Another way that Susan followed in her mother’s footsteps was by sponsoring the USS Coronado. Eleanor Ring Storrs was undoubtedly the perfect person to sponsor the USS Coronado (LPD-11) as her marriages to Vice Admiral Stanhope C. Ring and Real Admiral A.P. Storrs solidified her connection to the Navy as a military wife. Her service to the community and the military is surely why the Secretary of the Navy gave her the honor of sponsoring the second ship to be named after the Emerald City. The honor of sponsoring and christening the USS Coronado was extended to Susan when the third USS Coronado (LCS-4) was ready to become an official US Navy vessel. Susan was given this honor not only because of her heritage but also because of her service to the Coronado community.
Susan has fond memories of her years here, restaurants now long gone, dear friends, times spent with cousins, aunts, and uncles, a quieter time, and a beloved village.
Susan Ring Keith, a woman you are not likely to forget. A true icon of Coronado.
More photos of Susan Keith:
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