SUSAN WEST

SUSAN WEST Every now and then, the universe blesses us with a soul that outshines those around her. That was Susan Kay Eatherly West. Often described as fabulous, formidable, and one of a kind, Susan was the embodiment of an unbridled spirit. She was born on October 3, 1957, to Astrid and James Eatherly in Garden City, Kansas. In this small, western Kansas town, Susan grew up with the fabled tales one would expect of the frontier of America. She spent her summers detasseling corn with nothing but rubber boots, a swimsuit, and a hoe to protect against rattlesnakes. Like any modern day Renaissance woman, she also developed a wide range of hobbies and talents - she played the trombone, was a competitive barrel racer, and was an avid swimmer. She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, breaking tradition from her family and moving out of state. She spent her summers working in a watch shop at Disneyland in Florida, hitchhiking to work when her older sister refused to give her a ride. It was there she met Randy West, a fellow Oklahoma student. Quickly recognizing her beauty and magnetism, he snatched her up and they were married in 1977 in Garden City, Kansas. While the marriage didn't last, they did have two great achievements: their children Zachary and Katherine. Susan went on to become a registered nurse, where she cared for countless patients in the ICU with grace, humor, and a dose of tough love. The family moved several times - from Richmond, Virginia, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then back to Richmond. Along the way Susan forged strong friendships with everyone she met and became a surrogate mom to many of her children's friends, who lovingly called her Momma West. She taught her kids to play the spoons, to cook enchiladas, spent countless hours volunteering at their schools, traveled the world, and spent hours line dancing to Shania Twain in the living room with her daughter. Susan also spent her life coping with Neurofibromatosis - but ever the renegade - she did her best to not let this disease define her. She eventually moved to Austin, Texas. She spent the last years of her life focused on the real loves of her life, her four grandchildren Harrison, Hanna, Sebastian, and Luciana, who she spoiled with endless gifts and treats. She passed away peacefully in her home, with her son and daughter beside her, on Wednesday, February 5th. Her mother Astrid, father James, and sister Lynn were waiting for her on the other side with open arms. She is survived by her son Zach West, his wife Erin West, and their children Harrison and Hanna; her daughter Katie West, her husband Chris Coleman, and their children Sebastian and Luciana; her brother Bob Eatherly and sisters Julie Soldner and Amy Walleck, and their respective families. Susan will be remembered for her warmth, her love, her humor, and her zest for life. In lieu of gifts, her family asks that you make donations to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund or the Children's Tumor Foundation in her name.