Susan Gayle Walter Anderson lived, loved, laughed, played music and eventually said her good-byes to many of her family and friends as they gathered at her home in Bayside, sending her off to find her way into the next plane on August 7, 2016. Her last few months were filled with live music, played nearly daily at her bedside by her devoted and fun loving family of musician friends. Visitors lovingly gave her massages, scratched her back, cooked delicious meals, delivered gorgeous flowers, enjoyed watching the birds outside her window with her and reminisced about the great life they had shared together.
We lost our dear Susan to uterine cancer. A mere three months prior Susan suffered the tragic and sudden loss of her beloved husband, Carl Chatfield. Both valiantly battled cancer together and only a few months before their passing enjoyed a glorious one month vacation in Australia - a wonderful last hurrah down under.
Born on November 25, 1949 in Dayton, Ohio, Susan lived a life full enough for five people. She was the third child of Robert and Ruth Walter. She wasn't known as the girl next door type. Far from it! She, indeed, broke the mold. Gold miner, medical professional, jam maker, white water boater, crafty crochet queen, masseuse, master musician of many instruments, folk life society founding mother, gardener, and the list goes on. Truly a child of the 60's & 70's, Susan was destined for the life of a Humboldt hippie. She outgrew Dayton & "ran away" three days after graduating high school in 1967, joining Up With People, and eventually beginning her California adventure. She traveled throughout the U.S. with this group, finally settling in Los Angeles to work for their newspaper. This is where she met her first husband, Paul Anderson. Susan and Paul eventually bought a mining claim in Denny, California in Trinity County with a small inheritance from Susan's grandfather. She lived there for 3 1/2 years, after which she pursued new adventures on the coast in Humboldt County. She lived in Manila for three years, working at the Arcata Co-op and serving on the Northcoast Cooperative Board of Directors. During this time Susan resumed her musical interests and started playing various styles of folk music. In 1979 Susan was one of the founding mothers of the Folklife Society. Around this same time Susan participated in a training program to become a Woman's Health Care Specialist, which eventually led to her becoming a Physician's Assistant. In these positions Susan worked with both the Redwoods Rural Health Clinic in Redway and the Open Door Clinic in Arcata. In 1981 Susan and her then partner, Chris Ursich, purchased plastic popsicle molds at a garage sale. Thus was born the beginning of Susan's food business, starting with her famous blackberry popsicles, which were in high demand at the North Country Faire and Reggae on the River for many, many years. In 1986 she founded her jam business, Mad River Farms Jams & Fine Foods. Through her jam business Susan provided employment for many of her friends and her friend's kids. Her jams were exquisite & known throughout the county, as well as being sold out of the area in some finer grocery stores. Susan sold the business in 2004. Her culinary skills were highly respected by both friends and professionals alike. One of Susan and Carl's greatest pleasures was breaking bread with friends and family. They loved on-going, casual dining as nearly a way of life. Carl, with his endearing smile, would keep everyone's wine glasses full while Susan chopped & saut‚ed in the kitchen, chattering away and doling out loads of advice. There was so much warmth and openness always. And opinions spilled forth from this cook par excellence. In 1984 Susan began working with "the same old people" producers of the North Country Faire. She remained very involved with this group until 2015. Susan made many lifelong friends who respected her sense of organization, creativity and her dependability. And of course, her Blackberry Popsicle booth became a legend in its own right at this event that celebrates its 43rd year this summer. In 1992 Susan met the love of her life, Carl CHATFIELD, at a Contra Dance. They were married in 1998 and hand in hand they continued creating shared adventures. Both had enjoyed white water adventures prior to meeting. Together they braved many more rivers of the Pacific Northwest. On her own Susan ran the Grand Canyon twice and with Carl two more times. They were both immensely fond of experiencing new cultures & enjoyed travels to Guatemala, Belize, Thailand and Australia. They also visited much of the U.S. and enjoyed many memorable vacations with each of their families. Both Susan and Carl were lovers of good music. Machu Picchu, Pasture Prime and Mon Petite Chou were all Susan's bands through which she enjoyed the incredible camaraderie of a loving group of fine musician friends. Music was such a huge part of her life, beginning in grade school. She reveled in the lifelong friendships and memories she made. Her instruments included the fiddle, the button accordion, the flute, & the penny whistle. In 1983 Susan traveled to Southeast Alaska playing music for a folk dance group. She returned from this adventure with an 80 year sour dough starter that eventually became the starter used for the Bayside Grange successful pancake breakfasts. Susan brought her many talents to the Bayside Grange and was highly instrumental in sparking the "kitchen remodel" fund. She introduced many successful changes to several events at the Grange. Susan founded and nurtured the most successful fundraiser the Bayside Grange ever held: The Bayside Grange Hand Makers Holiday Craft Faire. This year will be the 5th faire & it will be dedicated to the amazing spirit of its founding mother. The Bayside Grange will also dedicate its new kitchen to the memory of Susan. Susan was very fond of gardening, enjoying many hours in her own wild, overgrown garden, filled with compost bins and blackberries. She spent time volunteering at the Potowat Community Garden in Arcata and loved working with the Hunter Orchards family & Neukom Farms selling peaches at the Farmers Market for several summers. She was very community spirited, serving on the Board of Directors for Humboldt Women for Shelter and the North Country Faire, to name only a couple. She and Carl served as interviewers and hosts for the international travel agency Servas. And finally, a description of this wonder woman would not be complete without mentioning her amazing crochet talent as well as her loving touch as a masseuse. Susan's brightly colored, glittery & hairy crocheted hats were sold at many crafts fairs locally. They were owned and envied by many. In addition, Susan lovingly shared her talent as a myofascial release masseuse, educating so many of us about ways to soothe our bodies.
Susan was preceded in death by her husband Carl CHATFIELD, her parents Robert and Ruth and her brother Michael Walter. Susan is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Tom and Judy Walter, Kingwood, TX; her half sister Mary Jane Kesling, Shelby Township, Michigan; her nieces Ann Walter (Katrina Hanratty), New York, New York and Janis Walter King (Jeff), Kansas City, Kansas, and their 3 children; her nephews Eric Walter (Lisa), Sydney, Australia and their 3 children; John Walter (Nathalie), Boston, MA; Gregory Walter (Andrea), Tampa, Florida and their 2 children.
There will be a celebration of life for both Susan and her husband Carl on Saturday, August 27th at 2:00 at the Arcata Community Center. Family and friends will gather to share memories, dine and dance, while enjoying music from their dear family of musician friends.
Eureka Times-Standard - Eureka, CA - 26 Aug 2016