Susan Campbell Pinkerton

Susan Campbell Pinkerton, beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away gracefully at her home in Nibley, Utah, on July 1, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was blessed to recently celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary with her devoted spouse, Donald Pinkerton Jr. Their partnership was a beautiful example of love and support, marked by unwavering commitment and companionship. Together, they traveled the world, fulfilled an LDS mission in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, performed at the American West Heritage Center and found joy in the simplest moments.

Susan's life was a testament to love and service. She was born on July 7, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to the late Franklin Roy Shafer and Vanilleer Marx Shafer. Her childhood was spent in Ouray, Colorado and Tooele, Utah. As oldest of five children, she is survived by her siblings Marvin (Jan) Shafer, Jeannette (Jesse) Jaynes, Frank (Lori) Shafer, and Liz (Gaylen) Zentner. Sue attended Brigham Young University where she received Bachelors and Master’s Degrees in Family Life and Human Development. It was there she met her first husband Robert “Bob” Campbell and they started their own family of five children while moving between five states: Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona, Montana and finally settled in Cache Valley, Utah in 1983. Her surviving posterity includes Cristine (Todd) Hull, Rob (Marietta) Campbell, Cindy (Tyler) Lake, Scott Campbell and Dustin Campbell along with nineteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Her loyalty and strength shaped the lives of all who knew her. Susan was a nurturing mother and step mother who cherished her bonus family of Don’s seven children: Donald “Donnie” (Stacy) E. Pinkerton III, Marie (Justin) Scott, Darrin “Ellis” Pinkerton, Leah Evans, Amy (Mark) Petrie, Lindsi (Jerry) Gerstenslager, and Noel (Jared) Hyer. Along with another nineteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. She had a deep love for her homes in Hyrum, Utah and Nibley, Utah, which she shared generously with her family and friends creating countless cherished memories.

Sue embraced the field of Human Development and applied her learning to family life. She earned a PhD from Utah State University to fulfill her passion as a Marriage and Family Therapist, in private practice up until her first stroke in late 2023. Her dedication to the field led to publication in professional journals, authoring her own parenting book Love Gaps, and positively impacting the lives of hundreds of clients and their families. Susan had a strong belief in the gospel, serving with Don in church callings with Hyrum 4th Ward and Nibley 10th Ward as well as nine years working in the Logan LDS Temple together. She was an inspirational role-model to her posterity and the community. Her unwavering spirit and tireless efforts made a positive impact on those around her and will be missed.

 A celebration of Susan’s life will be held on Thursday July 10 and Friday, July 11 at the Nibley 10th Ward, 2825 S 1000 W, Nibley Utah. Viewings will be held Thursday from 6-8pm and Friday from 9:30-10:30am, with funeral at 11am. Friends and family are invited to come together to share their fond memories and honor the remarkable woman she was. 

Susan Campbell Pinkerton’s legacy of love, compassion, and strength will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her. She will forever remain in our hearts.