Susan Kay Irwin

Susan Irwin was born Nov. 4, 1954 in Yakima, WA, to Wayne and Trudy (Angle) Irwin. She was the little girl her parents had wished for to join their family that had two boys. Ours was a loving, Christ centered home. In 1956 the family moved to southern California for construction work in a milder climate. We had the wonderful rent-free opportunity to live the first year in an old beach house in Malibu as Wayne did repair work for the owner. In 1958 the family moved inland to Banning, CA for work and family. The last two years there were extra special with another rent-free opportunity to live in, repair and maintain the historic Gilman Ranch, which is now a county park. There, Susan had an extra bedroom for Chatty Cathy, Barbie and TONS of other girly toys. In 1967, again for work, dad, mom and Susan moved to King City, CA. These were junior high and high school days for Susan when she learned how to play dad’s guitar and thoroughly enjoyed her many friends and our family collie dogs, puppies and a cat. Susan later married a high school sweetheart who was in the military, but they later divorced when they lived in central CA where Susan did clerical work for a hospital.

Dad and mom later retired back in Yakima to the comfort of old friends, relatives and to enjoy the northwest. Susan followed a few years later.

Susan was a gentle spirit whose joy over the years was found in music and make believe. She played the guitar and sang, was an accomplished harpist, was a talented costumer who participated in Star Wars conventions, CSA Middle Ages and Renaissance events, Belly Dancing, and had cats who seemed to always be named Muffin.

Susan Irwin went to be with Our Lord on February 8, 2024 after many years of living with the progressively debilitating disorder, Parkinson’s. Susan joins her parents, Wayne and Trudy Irwin and her oldest brother, Michael (Charlotte), in the heavenly family reunion.

Susan’s childhood friend, Jane Ryder and Susan’s brother, Ken (Karen), were at her side when she passed. Jane, whose parents had been our parents’ friends, made Susan one of her regular missions of Christian care over the years.

Thank you to one of Susan’s former harp students, Ashley Riste, who played Susan’s harp for her during the last year.

And thank you, thank you, thank you to Nurse Wilda, and Nurse Nancy for your exceptional care for Susan. Thank you also to the other staff at Willow Springs for your professional yet friendly caring over her last few years.

A family and friends gathering will take place for Susan in the coming summer.