Susan Linton Perry-Chavez was born in Denver, Co. and spent her school years between Denver and Plainview, Tx. She graduated from Plainview High School in 1963. She was a published writer, philanthropist and benefactor, but most importantly a true friend to many from across our great country. Susan was a Trustee at Baker University, Ks, a benefactor to Vandercook College in Chicago as well as UNM. Susan was also on the board of directors at the American Wind Power Center in Lubbock, Tx. She enjoyed her time as a director at the Salvation Army. Through the many calls, faxes, email, texts that have come in ... one describing her philosophic nature at its best. One time she was at a black tie event dressed as the queen of the ball in a designer grown raising thousands of dollars with her infectious smile til late. The next morning at 6:00 a.m. she was in jeans and boots ringing a bell asking for pennies. The kicker was she made the business owners and the guy pulling dirty coins out of his ashtray feel just as thankful for all they had given. Locally Susan was very involved with the Coleman Vision Tennis Tournament coordinating auctions and fashion shows. She also put players up and made them feel at home. At a chance meeting and lengthy discussion recently she invited Andrea Agassi to visit the tournament. She also offered to take him and his family up in one of her hot air balloons, another passion. She piloted all over the world solo many times and was only arrested once by sandia police for landing on tribal land. lol. Susan was very involved with the Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum. She recently watched daily with disbelief as her fellow pilot and friends Richard Abrurzzo and Carol Rymer Davis went missing and died. She commented, "At least they died doing what they were passionate about".  She graduated from the University of New Mexico, received her Masters, from the University of Missouri, and received her PHD from the University of Kansas. Susan is survived by her husband "my Fernando" Fred A. Chavez; 5 cats; one son Tom McClung and his life partner Phil Hull. She wished no service but would like everyone to appreciate all the good on this earth and especially our great country that she loved. "Rock On!"- Susan Perry

Written by Fred A. Chavez

Picture from Kathi Clough collection.