Susan Marie Clark

Our cherished Susan “Sue” Marie Clark (nee Galland) passed away in the care of family at her home in Antelope, CA on Dec. 20, 2019 at the age of 68. The oldest of three children, Sue was born Jan. 4, 1951 in Whittier CA to Vernon and Sharon Galland. Growing up next, door to the local Catholic school, Susan spent her childhood in the choir loft and running around the schoolyard.

After graduating from San Jacinto High School, Sue moved to Spain where she lived in Madrid for 3 years. During her time in Spain she fell in love with the culture, food and the language. Upon her return to the states, Sue’s sense of adventure continued to push her to enjoy life. While studying to be a dental assistant, Sue became friends with a group of pilots and soon got her pilot’s license. Sue’s love of airplanes and flying stayed with her throughout her life. She loved to run dune buggies, work on her VW beetle and could heel-toe shift with the best of them.

Ever heard of Princess House? If you knew Sue at all the answer would be yes. For years Sue sold Princess House cut-crystal to earn extra money. She did so well at her direct sales, that she soon had an entire group of consultants working under her, “Sue’s Seagulls”. Sue would remain proud of her time selling Princess House and would credit it for empowering her to be confident and independent for the rest of her life.

Sue is best known as a friend. To know her was to love her, and that was no different when she moved to Northern California, knowing no one. Sue and Ed settled the youngsters of the family into a brand-new house on a little court in Antelope. Just one of 17 houses on the street, Sue soon found her tribe. Whatever they did, they did it as a group. Neighborhood block parties, bunco nights, landscaping projects, prom nights and the Clark Family Costume Party were some of the highlights. It didn’t matter if you had just found a prehistoric looking bug in your home, your daughter needed ties sewn onto her ballet slippers or you had a child needing first aid, you called Sue. Heck, some of you even called her “Grandma Sue” which at 40 must have been a fun nick-name. She loved her tribe and when she and Ed finally moved after 28 years to a smaller house nearby, Sue cried for the memories she had made with all her friends.

Sue was known for “hiding” in her sewing room, she always had a stack of alterations brought over by friends and neighbors, wedding dresses that only SHE could be trusted to steam, and fairy tale creations that looked as though they were spun of cotton candy waiting to grace the stage. She was a fairy godmother more than once, because there is no one else you’d call to tear apart a wedding dress one week before the big day. There was never a dress that Katie could dream up that Sue couldn’t engineer (and I do mean ENGINEER) to make her dreams come true. A wonderful seamstress, who was never entirely satisfied by her handwork; Sue would often whisper “if you can’t see it on a running horse” which was her hint to you that no flaw would be found if the dress never stopped dancing.

Sue made a career in dentistry, thanks to the gift of dental assisting school her father gave her. For almost 40 years of her life she worked as a registered dental assistant or a front-office receptionist in dental offices. After settling in Northern California, Sue was encouraged by a friend to apply for an open position with Dr. Paul Katz. Sue instantly took to Dr. Katz and his office staff and quickly they were more like family than friends. Upon retiring almost 20 years later, Sue asked “how will I get by without seeing my friends every day?”

Early in Sue’s life she had been given the gift of a lifetime by her Grandma Madge when she took a multi-week grand tour of Europe. Once the travel bug had been discovered, it never went away. After Sue went into remission, Sue and Ed started traveling. They visited Italy, France, Mexico, Guatemala, and then Belize happened. Belize captured the heart of the couple and became a favorite spot to visit, take in nature, lay on the beach and soak in the quiet. In the last few years, Sue and Ed took a life-changing trip to Israel where they walked the Via Dolorosa. Despite initial concerns regarding the trip, Sue often cited walking the path of Christ to be one of the most influential adventures of her life.

Sue lived a full life as a mother, adventurer, seamstress, mechanic and fairy godmother. She was everyone’s favorite “Aunt Sue” and could always make you feel special.  She taught us that your diagnosis doesn’t have to define your life; if you live your life full of positivity, you are fully in control.

Sue is survived by her husband and best friend of 35 years Edward Clark, her Mother Sharon Terracciano, her siblings Michael (Karen) Galland and Laurie Ogilvie (Danny McBride), her children Charmon, Cassidy, Rohini, Katie and Jacob Sooy, and her grandchildren Thad and Scarlett Sooy who were her great joy.

Her viewing will be Jan. 9 at PRICE FUNERAL CHAPEL (6335 Sunrise Blvd, Citrus Heights) from 5-7 PM, with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary commencing at 6 PM. Funeral services will be Jan. 10 at Holy Family Catholic Church (7817 Old Auburn Rd, Citrus Heights) at 10 AM. A bright light in the world, Sue spent her life brining joy to those around her. If you were touched by her light, please join us in celebration. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Holy Family Catholic School at HolyFamilyCA.org.

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