Susan Lucinda Claire Currier,

July 3, 1947 – June 6, 2006

“The wind has shifted, as it always has, and as it always will. The fair breeze that we loved has become a memory…..”

We’re celebrating Susan’s life on Sunday, September 17 at The Victorian Pitkin-Conrow House (“Victorian”) located at 789 Valley Road, Arroyo Grande, California from 1 until 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

A recent entry in Susan’s diary reads: “….Max and I are off to Trader Joe’s to find something yummy for dinner and maybe purchase a case of 7-Peaks chardonnay…...” So come join us for something “yummy” to eat and a glass of chardonnay. And by all means, when a loved one wants to go find something yummy, whatever that might be, don’t hesitate to indulge them!

Another diary entry reads: “This is that extraordinary moment every year when Cal Poly is over, the town is quiet, Max has traveled East ahead of me and Gretchen (the cat from Pennsylvania) and I hang out in happy exhaustion. I feel free and washed by the sun. It’s my most essential medicine. Next come the periwinkle sky above and the great green pines all lit for the sensuous joy of the season - - our annual visit to Eden.”

Susan didn’t really have a middle name while she was here on earth. We talked about that unfortunate omission often – on the days the stock market was going up she wanted to be SEC – we had lots of thoughts on what the E would actually stand for – Elizabeth, Emily and Eunice were mentioned. On the days the sun was out and the flowers were in bloom or when we were off to a Mexican beach vacation she wanted to be SLCC – Susan Lucinda Claire Currier. This name came up frequently in her most private communications to herself – the name originated in her soul and danced in her imagination while she was alive. I believe her soul now has the middle name she always wanted.

Susan and Max married on August 22, 1987. They met in 1985 at a financial seminar in Shell Beach – it was love at first sight. Susan’s most powerful weapon was her enormous smile - she disarmed people with it every time she met them. Susan loved her family and many friends. She also loved flowers, all sunny places, and most any southern ocean. She was especially fond of zinnias and roses. This year’s zinnia bed in front of our house is the most magnificent its ever been.

A Susan Currier Endowed Professorship in Humanities is being established at Cal Poly. If you wish to contribute to this endowment, send your gift to the College of Liberal Arts, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA,93407.

“…. There is a new wind blowing now, so new we don’t yet know why it arose, or what it will bear. What has gone on before bore the seeds which the rains and sunshine of tomorrow will bring to a new life not yet conceived……” -Rodger Stevens

Susan’s curriculum vitae is here.

Some photos of Susan, family and friends.

Questions or comments? Please contact Max Wills.