Susan Evans

SAVOY – Susan M. Evans was mercifully escorted into eternity by her friend, Jesus, in the early morning of June 16, 2009, at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Susan was born on Aug. 22, 1938, in Chicago. Her parents, Harold and Lenora Sagorske, raised Susan and her two sisters and a brother on a humble electrician's wage. From her mother, Susan learned to cook, sew, manage a household and take care of her little brother. From her father, she learned the value of an honest day's labor and to live within her means.

Though she graduated high school near the top of her class, she was unable to afford college; and instead, moved to Los Angeles, Calif., with her sister, Annetta. While there, Susan worked a clerical job by day; and by night she enjoyed the music of some of the all-time greats of jazz in the clubs of L.A. People were often struck by Susan's radiant beauty, and for a time, she was a dancer in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, she was selected to appear on the cover of Playboy magazine and was hired by Playboy Enterprises in Chicago where she befriended Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, Paul Desmond and many other artistic celebrities of the era.

Susan immediately left the glamor and excitement of the downtown Chicago entertainment scene to give birth to her only son. From that day on, Susan made every sacrifice imaginable to insure her son's well-being and success.

After careers as a legal secretary and administrative assistant with the March of Dimes, Susan moved to Champaign, in the hopes that her son would one day attend the University of Illinois.

In 1990, Susan, helped start the Old Vic Art Gallery in downtown Champaign with her beloved business partner, Victor Pella. Susan brought an elegant sense of style, a keen eye for detail, and superb interior decorating skills to the gallery. Also in 1990, Susan acquired her daily companion, Fritz: and for the next 19 years, she spoke to her little dog every day, reminding everyone. "It's OK, he understands English."

Susan loved her family, parties, humor, art, music, good books, flowers, and most of all, talking to people. She was always enthusiastic about the achievements of others and took great interest in the lives of everyone she met. Christmas was her favorite holiday and her decorations, food, and generosity were always stunning. Susan read the newspaper and listened to talk-radio every day. She cared about justice and voted in every election. Serving jury duty, she once caused a mistrial by being the lone juror to hold fast to an alternative opinion. Susan was refreshingly honest, hardworking, humble, helpful whenever asked, and thought of others more than herself. Despite suffering great hardships at times, she learned to forgive everyone who ever hurt her, and spoke about others in only positive terms - except conservative Republicans - whose policies she found despicable. Susan accepted responsibility for her mistakes and was remarkably free from prejudice of any kind. To her dying day, she embraced life with a positive attitude, was always optimistic, persevered during trouble, and was often able to see life through a comical lens.

Susan was grateful to Angie Broughton, Danielle Chynoweth, Lois Ellis, Ju Lee Hong, Ed Jones, Claudia Lennhoff, Jim Linder, Susan Parenti, Victor Pella, Pat Pella, Victor Pella Jr., Mike Sherfield, Jerry Sidwell and Laurie Solomon.

She is survived by her son, Christopher of Urbana; her sisters, Ester Dutt and Annetta Brenn of Florida; and her brother, Harold Sagorske Jr., also of Florida.

Memorials can be made to the Francis Nelson Health Center or the Champaign County Humane Society.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Old Vic Gallery, at a later date.

A lifelong cigarette smoker, Susan M. Evans died of lung cancer.

Ministry of comfort provided by Perry's Twin City Mortuary Service of Champaign.