Randy Wilson

Sue passed away peacefully on March 11th, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 93 years old. Sue was born in Berkeley in 1932 to Ethel and Warde Hatch, and grew up in Alameda, with a short stint in Washington D.C. Sue spent her summers under the supervision of her great aunt Sue at Huntington Lake, often with her older brother Jim Hatch and dear friends. Her High Sierra summers were spent water skiing, swimming, and attending dances. She also cherished time with close friends at Silver Lake. Sue attended the University of Texas and graduated from Mills College.

Sue met Jim Wilson and enjoyed a budding romance with weekend rendezvous in San Francisco, where they had mutual friends. After accepting his marriage proposal, she departed with several girlfriends on an extended tour of Europe that cemented friendships and her passion for traveling the world.

She and Jim married in 1955 and settled in Santa Cruz. Sue was a homemaker, supporting Jim as they raised four children. As a volunteer with Family Service Agency, she was one four founders of the Daisy Auxiliary in 1967. One memorable fundraising event she helped coordinate was at the Boardwalk's Fun House, which featured a night of libations, pizza, and racing down the famous wooden slide.

Sue was an avid watercolorist and took many beloved trips and courses through Cabrillo College. She loved to see the world and worked for several years at Santa Cruz Travel. In addition to her ticket-delivery duties across the county, she often volunteered to "scout" trips for the agency. Sue simply loved to explore, and frequently generated unique itineraries for memorable family vacations.

She adored celebrating "Tea Time," hosting her children, friends, and later grandchildren, with English tea, baked treats, and entertaining stories to tide everyone over before an often-late dinnertime. Locally, she loved picnics at Swanton and Henry Cowell. She was an exceptional hostess, always ready with a big hello and smile, an open-door policy, and a well-supplied cookie jar. Her passion for shopping helped her add fun and flair to holiday gatherings, and in more recent years she enjoyed hosting "Coffee with Sue" which was attended by many close friends.

Sue was predeceased by Jim in 2017 and is survived by her four children Tom (Connie), Richard "Blue" (Victoria), Julie, and Peter (Gloria); seven grandchildren Margaret, Abbey (Jon), Carly (Kalen), Eliot, Erin (Cory), Neil, and Chase; and two great grandchildren Mara and Lily.

Sue's zest and festive spirit will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Cabrillo College Foundation (WES) or the Santa Cruz County Community Foundation (Endowment Fund). A celebration of Sue's life is planned for later this spring.