Susan Katherine Walker (78) was born in Grass Valley, CA on 5/3/1934 to Henry and Vida Evart. She was the second of four children. As a young girl she moved to Petaluma, CA and attended St. Vincent grammar school and high school. Sue met Lawrence "Ben" Walker as a teenager in high school and married in 1953. Sue worked for the FBI in San Francisco before she and Ben had their first of six children in 1955.
Susan was the legal secretary to the Petaluma City Attorney for several years while she raised her family with the youngest born in 1967.
A move to Madera was prompted by the opportunity for Sue and Ben to purchase the Madera Theatre in 1969 which they operated for twenty years. During that time the family business supported her family and provided employment and experiences as it forged long lasting relationships and memories with many employees and Maderan's in the community. Outside of raising her six children and her involvement in the Madera Theatre, Sue embraced the community of Madera and forged life long relationships. Sue was active in St. Joachim's church and dedicated to her Catholic faith. She served as an officer with the YLI and was recognized by the group as it honored her for her contributions a few years ago at a special dinner attended by her family.
She developed a passion for golf and was a member of the Madera Golf and Country Club for 40 years. During that time, she experienced good times, developed special friendships and worked on mastering a keen game of golf. She was the club champion a total of 4 times during the 70's and 80's.
Subsequent to closing the Madera Theatre, Sue worked for 10 years at State Center Credit Union where she once again, forged many new friendships.
After her eventual and well earned retirement from work, she made her cherished family the centerpiece of her life by attending countless baseball games, softball games, water polo matches, wrestling tournaments, graduations, trips to Washington D.C., 1996 Summer Olympics and post season major league baseball games. Susan was a great fan of baseball and attended both Giant and Dodger games spanning 5 decades. Most recently she attended a 2010 playoff game with her family while managing her illness with undaunting courage.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Vida, brothers Mark and Brad. Sue was preceded in death by her husband Ben, whom she was married to for 38 years prior to his passing in 1991. Sue's passing was on Ben's birthday, 9/19.
Sue is survived by her 6 children and spouses: Benny II (Vitina), Lori (Karl), Peter, Lisa (Ruxton), Kara (Eddie) and Sean. Susan is survived by beloved sister Ann White (John).
She is survived by 12 grand-children, 2 great grand-children, brother and sister-in-laws and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Monday, September 24, 2012 from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with the Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 P.M. at Jay Chapel in Madera. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Madera.
