Susan was born in Wagon Mound, New Mexico to Rosalie and Elias Chavez in 1920. She was the youngest of six children – Lee, Cora, Joe, Stella and Theresa. Her father was a traveling carpenter and a part-time farmer. Farming was not fruitful therefore they moved to Colorado. They stayed with relatives in San Luis, and Pueblo, Colorado until they moved to a home near what is currently the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus.
Susan Marie Chavez Alvarado was a devoted Roman Catholic mother to me and brother Paul. She and husband Donald spent much time with us and both surrounding families. Sue and Donald had two children(Donnie and Paul{deceased}); five grandchildren (Leigh Benson, Janie Miller, David Nelson II, Stephanie McDonnell, Danielle White); seven great grandchildren (Patrick McDonnell{deceased}, Nick McDonnell, Joe McDonnell, Jade Benson, Owen Benson, Rae Chambers Sommerville, Lincoln Chambers, Gavin White, Breckyn White): one great -great grandchild; (Santiago Sommerville).
Susan attended the Denver Public School system and graduated from West High School in 1938. During her high school years Susan was active in the Godet Club, Women's Athletic Club and the Coral Group.
After high school she worked as an office clerical at Eagan Printing Company.
Sue and Don were married in Holy Ghost Catholic Church. During WWII Sue and Don moved to Fresno, California upon his military enlistment. Donnie was born in Fresno, California in November 1944. Eventually she returned to Denver and lived with her mother until the end of the war in 1945. Paul was born in Denver in 1948.
Susan, husband, Donald and her brother, Joe Chavez bought a duplex at 715 Delaware St. in west Denver.
Her children attended St. Joseph grade school. Her family supported the school by staffing the refreshment stand at the gym, serving popcorn, hot dogs, sno-cones, and candy. Sue volunteered to be the Cub Scout Den Mother for the area.
Sue was active in the Denver YWCA, eventually serving as President. She exercised by swimming at the YWCA swimming pool.
After Paul joined the Navy and Donnie graduated from the University of Colorado, Donald and Sue joined a flying travel club. They visited many vacation sites in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South Asia, Europe and parts of South America.
Susan's husband passed in 1988. She continued to live in her home in Pinehurst Village
