Spirit Of Phoenix Remains Mountain Strong

Even those who never officially met Susan “Phoenix” Lane likely saw her somewhere on the mountain, whether she was riding her Harley in one of her flowy skirts, tending the counter at the Hoodland Bazaar, driving through town with her dogs in her old truck, or painting faces at the Hoodland Farmers Market. 

Christen Prudence met Lane at the market eight years ago. It was the start of a spiritual friendship, during which Lane recently invited Prudence to participate in the sound baths she started hosting at the Bazaar. 

“We just kept crossing paths,” Prudence said of their friendship. “Phoenix was such a helpful person, even when she was struggling herself. There’s so much more of Phoenix I wish I’d gotten to know.”

When Lane went missing last November and then her body was found near her Brightwood home, dozens got involved searching for her and then grieving her and seeking justice for what was determined by police to be a homicide. 

At the vigil held for her on Dec. 2, 2024, Prudence was among those gathered in sharing memories of Lane and offering a sound bath inside the Bazaar in the same space Lane once held sessions. 

Since December, Prudence has continued to hold that healing space for people in the community in Lane’s honor. She hosts sound baths in what the Hoodland Bazaar owners now call the Phoenix Room twice a month at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday and third Saturday of the month.

“I can feel her spirit in that room,” Prudence said. “It’s a very spiritual place for a lot of people. The mountain has a lot of people looking for healing and safety.”

A group of Lane’s friends, including Prudence, have also been trying to obtain more resources and support on the mountain for those experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic violence.

Prudence has also helped, in this past year, to redistribute some of Lane’s belongings to benefit the community, as well as hosting estate sales to raise money for Lane’s sons. Yarn from Lane’s collection was dropped off at the Hoodland Senior Center and art supplies and fabric were donated to Sandy High. 

“Those things going to help kids and seniors just seems fitting, to help her legacy live on in the community,” Prudence explained. 

“She was a really nice person for me and my whole family,” said Lane’s former employer, Hoodland Bazaar Manager Khalid Kamahwee. “She was always thinking about people in the community. We want people to try and keep her memories alive by attending the sound baths. It’s a community event.” 

For more information about the sound baths and to RSVP for upcoming sessions, reach out to Hoodland Bazaar by email or visit HoodlandBazaar.com/events or the Bazaar’s social media for the current schedule.

The September sound baths will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Saturday, Sept. 20.

“It’s a special way to honor what she started,” Prudence said of the sessions. “She kind of passed me the torch. Even in her death, she’s teaching me lessons about living in discomfort. She didn’t hide her light. She was who she was unapologetically. It’s an honor to be filling in in her absence.”

The GoFundMe account created to offer support to Lane’s two sons is still active and can be found at gofundme.com/f/help-phoenixs-sons-navigate-this-tragedy.