Susan Evans Parker Rusie

RICHMOND, Ind. – Susan Evans Parker Rusie, age 60, of Richmond, died Saturday, July 25, 2015, at Friends Fellowship Community. In Susan's own words....More time would be better, but I am at peace with the 60 fantastic years I did have. I have been extraordinarily lucky. I was born on August 18, 1954, to James G. and Erna Schneider Parker in Iowa, grew up in Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University in W. Lafayette in 1976, having spent one remarkable year at the University of Madrid in Spain, studying while also enjoying some weekend traveling and adventures throughout Europe. I was married for 33 years and divorced for 7 to a great guy and one of my best friends, John Rusie, with whom I shared in more than a couple cross country moves, a lifetime of lovely memories, and two adored children, Brian and Laura. As most parents feel, I believe they are exceptionally wonderful young people. I have no particular passions other than my priceless family, Scottish Fold Lucy, and treasured friends, though I am a bit of a thrill-seeker and on rare occasions was indeed thrilled to be hurtling around a race track or toward earth (with hired professionals of course) or more likely, I was just quietly reading a good book! I was fortunate to be at home for years with my children, then worked for Richmond Community Schools, IU East, and most recently Friends Fellowship Community. I joined several fraternal and service organizations – Chi Omega, Tri Kappa, various PTOs and PTAs, etc., and did my fair share of volunteer work along the way. When anyone dies at a relatively young-ish age, I often wonder about the cause and assume others might too – in my case, it is uterine cancer run amok. Although often surreal and sometimes terrifying, it’s been an odd gift of sorts to know how and when I likely will die. It has given me a heightened awareness of life and made every extra day here quite precious…plus I am afforded the opportunity to make plans, such as writing my own biography. I have donated my body to the IU Medical Center, then after cremation will rejoin the universe as atoms and such. As a humanist for many years by virtue of rational thought and overwhelming evidence, I know I was given an eight extra years courtesy of tedious scientific research, nothing supernatural or miraculous about it. I do, however, truly appreciate everyone’s prayers and good wishes. I believe I have been a kind, forgiving person. Most of all, I hope that I am leaving behind good memories for my beloved children, and that is where I will be going to live on. Please join family and friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Doan and Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, to celebrate Susan’s life. A celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m. at Doan and Mills Funeral Home. Susan deeply appreciated the attentive and compassionate care provided to her by the nursing staff at Friends Fellowship Community. She asked that, in lieu of flowers, family and friends make memorial gifts to support the Nursing Program, Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Susan Evans Parker Rusie

August 18, 1954 - July 25, 2015