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Suzanne Kirkham Memoriam
Suzanne (Sue) Kirkham. Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1950 to Pat and Ken Malitz. Grew up in Wollongong, a coastal city 50 miles south of Sydney. Like her father, Sue was an avid reader and as a child Sue would frequent the library and be particularly drawn to books about gypsies, travel, and adventure. This wanderlust led to Sue's departure on her travels in 1971 when she traveled to New Zealand to work and tour for about 4 months before heading off to Europe, stopping briefly in San Francisco on the way. Briefly did not occur. When applying for a work permit for the U.K. at the British Consulate in S.F. a staff member there suggested Sue seek employment at a foreign Consulate. Footloose, fancy free, off to see the world Sue thought "why not", and was soon employed at the Australian Consulate in SF. "Brief" stop over in SF lasted about 3 years working at the Consulate and traveling within the U.S., Mexico, and Canada before taking off for Europe. After extensive touring in Europe Sue returned to work at the Australian Consulate in SF, and has remained in SF since, with annual visits to her beloved Australia to see family and friends and travel.
Seeking new challenges Sue was encouraged by Bill Prather to enter the real estate business and in 1985 passed the examination and commenced her long and successful career in real estate in SF, ceasing to work only when diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
During the years living and working in the U.S. Sue continued to travel annually to Australia and traveled to all 7 continents. In the later travel years Sue's travel interests were more for adventure and the road less well traveled, traveling to remote parts of Laos and Thailand, bush whacking in the Alaskan wilderness, and kayaking in Antarctica.
Through the years in SF Bay Area many strong friendships and relationships formed, for which Sue was always grateful. Sue leaves behind family and friends in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.
A PRIVATE CREMATION, AND A SMALL CELEBRATION OF LIFE TO BE HELD AT A LATER DATE.
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Miraloma Resident
August 31, 2022
Sue sold us our first house in Miraloma, where we started and grew our family. She knew we would be good members of her beloved community, and we are forever grateful for her kindness and care. May she rest in peace.
Sharon Rowles
June 24, 2022
My heart is broken. Sue has always been in my life. She was more than a cousin, she was like a sister to my mother as was her mother to my nanny. She was my sisters god mother. Sue was a generous, vibrant and loving woman. My heart breaks for Bill who was with her until the end. We are all blessed to have had Sue in our lives.
Laura Hartman
June 23, 2022
I am so saddened to hear of Sue's passing. We met several years ago on a small ship cruise in the Sea of Cortez. We had many things in common, our love of travel and San Francisco among them. I was happy when Sue reached out several years later for my help with her trip to Antarctica. I am sorry she didn't have many more years to explore.
Dr's. Beryl and Angela Banks
June 20, 2022
Our realtor became our mentor and our friend! Through shared meals and tea we came to know Sue as a remarkable professional with shared interest in international travel, especially to the least trodden places, and a passion to live life to the full. May her shared memories turn mourning into joy.
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Leslie Shelton Tognazzini
June 17, 2022
I worked with Sue at TRI for several years. She was a truly lovely person and her roses were legendary! She was so talented in many arenas. Sad to learn she has passed away. RIP Sue.
Janette Denison
June 16, 2022
My sister Suzanne and I at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in the 1970's. One of many great childhood and other memorable adventures over time. Good person and good friend to many. Will be forever missed. xxxxx. Janny
Rose Gilardi
June 16, 2022
Sue was an avid rose lover and member of the San Francisco Rose Society. Her love for roses brought us together and we had many wonderful times exchanging travel stories. Sue you are missed.
Judith Rowles
June 16, 2022
Judith Rowles
June 16, 2022
Sue Kirkham was my God Mother (yet neither of us were religious), my cousin and one of my most favourite people in the word.
We had a joke that Sue did not keep up her religious duties. However Sue was so much more than just a God Mother to me. It was not about religion but kinship. I always felt very connected to her and I aspired to be like her.
Sue had such a zest for life and travel. She was a strong, independent business women that was exceptional in all she did.
Sue was community minded and cared so much for the welfare of others.
Sue gave to many charities which included Children, The Arts, Gardens and Animals. One particular charity is for Foster Children that have just aged out of care (this charity was especially close to her heart as she believed they deserved to have a second chance to get the kick start they needed).
Through her struggles with cancer over the last 3 years Sue was amazing. Always staying positive, yet practical and feisty until the end.
Not a day will go by that I will not think of her as the amazing, caring, charity minded, community spirited, strong, independent woman she was.
My heart will forever be a little bit broken because she is not with us anymore.
Sandra Bagnatori
June 15, 2022
Sue was a truly kind and generous person. Her passing is a loss for all who knew her. She grew beautiful roses and I was lucky to have been a recipient of a bouquet of them. I´ll never forget her and her roses. RIP dear Sue.
judy pua
June 15, 2022
I am so, so SAD to hear about Sue's passing. We worked together in real estate for man, many years & she was one of the kindest, most helpful people I know!
My sincerest condolences to her family!
Sincerely,
judy pua
Dorit
June 14, 2022
I consider myself a friend of that gem of a woman, despite us being connected for a brief time in 1998. She was our realtor and we are still living in the same house! We reconnected again this year and that's when she told me on the phone that she doesn't have much time left. She had a lot of equanimity and acceptance. She had a good run, she said. I am saddened by her departure.
Susan Po-Rufino
June 14, 2022
Sue was a positive influence among us & a great asset to our office. We will truly miss her . Godspeed, Sue
Kharyl Scott
June 13, 2022
Dear wonderful Sue and I have been friends for over 50 years - we met on that flight to New Zealand that was to be the first of her overseas adventures, and have been in touch, or caught up, at various times & places over the years. I shall miss her yearly Christmas epistles with all the photos and comments on her travels, her kindness, positive outlook, and genuine concern for others. A truly lovely lady taken too soon.
Joan Loeffler
June 13, 2022
So sorry to lose such a great woman. Sending condolences to her family. Sue brought in the offer on one of my first listings. I was a bit intimidated! She taught me much. She was a lovely lady and a respected colleague. I will miss her.
I saw her a few months ago at our local pool and she mentioned that she had had a great life and if it was her time, so be it.
Judith Dauphinais
June 13, 2022
Sue sold me my house on Teresita Boulevard 35 years ago and in the intervening years have forged a friendship. She reintroduced me to dance - ballroom and swing and until her foot issues, we danced at least two times a week. Sue helped out in our neighborhood as a board member, as part of the graffiti abatement group and in numerous other ways. Our house numbers are exactly the reverse. I will miss Sue and remember with admiration the tenacity and honesty and stamina she displayed always.
Dona Crowder
June 13, 2022
My sincerest condolences. Sue was a wonderful colleague. She will be greatly missed.
Mike Miler, Coldwell Banker Real Estate
June 13, 2022
A very classy lady! Will miss her and her many travel tales.
Elana Bennett
June 13, 2022
My deepest condolences for the loss of this very sweet, charming, kind and special woman. Sue was one of the first people to help and guide me when I began real estate. I was referred to work beside Sue and accompanied her to listing presentations, which greatly helped prepare me for my own. I learned a lot by accompanying Sue to her appointments with clients, and was so thankful to have her guidance when I was a new agent. Sue was patient, kind, intelligent and very knowledgeable. She will be greatly missed!
Dale Zink
June 12, 2022
Sue and I worked together in the Real Estate field. Sue was one of my most favorite persons to work with. She was kind and had great energy. I especially enjoyed talking with her about her travel adventures and love of gardening. She will be greatly missed.
Kathleen Rawlins
June 12, 2022
Sue was a special person. Her friendship was solid and lasting. She was especially connected to her neighbors at the Miraloma Park Improvement Club serving on the Board of Directors for many years. She especially helped with the establishment of the Club's native plant garden. She was a real humanitarian and friend of the Earth and will be deeply missed!
Norma Sciberras
June 12, 2022
A wonderful friend and so many fun memories will stay in my heart always.
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