Susan Darlene Neal

Susan Darlene Neal, of Henderson, NV passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the age of 68. Susan was born in Rocky Mount, NC and was the daughter of Robert Lewis Neal and Sudie Belle Parham Neal. Susan was a kind and generous friend to people and animals alike and adopted and cared for numerous dogs and cats over her lifetime. She will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched.

Susan’s caring nature was demonstrated through her chosen career. She studied mammography at Duke University and became a licensed and certified mammography technologist. She worked at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC prior to becoming employed by Kaiser Permanente and relocating to Honolulu, Hawaii. During her time with Kaiser, Susan took mammography on-the-road by leading a team in a mobile mammography unit to reach rural, underserved women. After selling her home in Aiea, Hawaii, Susan moved to Henderson, Nevada to continue her medical service and worked at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center.

While living in Aiea, Susan volunteered for a local animal rescue nonprofit. On her way to and from work every day, she mapped out circuitous routes where she traveled 20 miles to various feral cat colonies to feel hungry animals. She became involved with the trap-neuter-vaccinate-release program and bought a large cargo van specifically for the purpose of having enough room for the many 50 lb. bags of cat food she purchased along with the humane traps that always clanked around in the back of her van. Susan never met a cat or dog that she didn’t love and when one needed adoption, she did her best to find it a home. In her own home, she always had at least two cats (sometimes many more) and always one and sometimes two energetic dogs.

Susan is survived by her sister, Maureen Neal of Richmond, Virginia; half-brother, Ernest Youngblood of Raleigh, NC and half-sister Janice Raynor of Benson, NC; niece, Parham Neal-Pishko of Richmond, Virginia and nephew, Evan Neal-Pishko of Rockville, VA; and first cousin, Sandra Parham of Roxboro, NC. Susan also leaves behind her dear neighbors, Laura and Ted Dischaine and Louise Rizzi of Henderson, NV and dear friend, Dorothy Lucky of Honolulu, Hi and Barbara Ryder of Aiea, HI.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Sudie Neal and Darrine Parham Bennett, her brother, Bobby Neal and her grandparents, Jake and Nettie Parham.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on June 18 at noon at 737 Apple Tree Court, Henderson NV. Everyone wishing to say goodbye is invited to attend.

Memorial tributes can be given to an animal shelter of your choice who is committed to rescuing and saving animals. Susan and the animals would be greatly appreciative.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Neal family.