Susie-Jane Dwyer

Susie-Jane Dwyer Susie-Jane Dwyer, beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-gran-dmother was born in Salt Lake City on April 24, 1915, and died peacefully at her home on Jackson Street, with her children near, on September 17, 2008. Susie-Jane was the second youngest of five children and moved to San Francisco with her parents Jay Ambrose Quealy and Jacketta McCune Quealy in 1918. As a child she traveled the world for many years, living in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. This nomadic existence instilled a passion for adventure, and a desire to experience all cultures, which remained with her throughout her life. She came of age in the 1920s and '30s an exciting time in San Francisco history. Blond, blue-eyed Susie Quealy, and her dark haired, dark-eyed half sister Jack McCune were "notorious beauties" adored by many in town, including the great San Francisco columnist Herb Caen. Many nights were spent dancing at the Mark Hopkins and Fairmont Hotels. The popular song hit of the era, "Doin' the Susie Q" was written in her honor. As a woman Susie-Jane embraced her role as a mother, not only to her own three boys, Hoddy, Jay and Gary Guittard by her first husband Horace A. Guittard, but to other children she loved and advised over the years. She was a woman with an inclusive heart, welcoming all, and sharing herself with all those around her. Many people identify Susie-Jane as their surrogate mother. "Granny" deeply loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In many ways she was a child at heart. Susie-Jane also devoted years of service to the community. She served as a nurse's aid during WWII and the Korean War, was a long time member of the Junior League of San Francisco, as well as a volunteer at the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center for decades. Susie-Jane was a woman of elegance, devotion, passion, adventure and most of all, a woman of love to all in her life. She was preceded in death by her second husband Thomas Dwyer and her son Jay Quealy Guittard. Visitation will be held at Halsted N. Gray - Carew & English on Tuesday, September 23rd, from 5-7:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel, at 1900 Pacific Ave, at 11am, Wednesday the 24th of September. Interment will follow at Cypress Lawn Cemetery. HALSTED N. GRAY - CAREW & ENGLISH (415) 673-3000