Susanna (Susan) Kay Laundy

Susanna (Susan) Kay Laundy, 67 years old and resident of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on November 14, 2023, by destruction from radiation poisoning. Although Susan is no longer physically present, the spirit and love she shared will continue in the lives of all those whom Susan knew.

Susan glowed in love with life and joy. She always left an impression on anyone in her presence, feeling special, knowing her words being sincere, true and above/beyond reproach. Susan being a blessed gift shared many gifts with a life filled with many natural and educated talents.

On September 15, 1961, Susan, her brothers (Kenneth and Charles) and Mother (Edith) moved to Sylmar, California where Susan began her first year of education. She attended Morningside Elementary and San Fernando Jr. High. Susan returned to Overland Park, Kansas in 1970 and attended Shawnee Mission West High School and graduated Valedictorian in 1974.

Susan was an exceptionally intelligent and talented woman with compassion and devotion to humanitarianism and the education and empowerment of the oppressed which fueled her calling to join the Ursuline Sisters of Paola, KS. During Sister Susanna’s time serving as part of the Ursuline Convent, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Religious Studies Education from Avila College and a Master of Science in Administration at the University of Notre Dame. Following her graduation, she achieved her Certified Public Accountant accreditation across multiple states. She also became a Certified Healthcare Financial Planner. She was an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It was important to Susan to continue growing and adding to her certifications throughout her life. She invested her analytical nature in healthcare and served as the CFO for Catholic Health Initiatives, Revenue Cycle Special Projects VP for Common Spirit Health and Chief Business Development Officer for Link Revenue Resources, as well as, serving on various boards of directors at several institutions.

As Susan moved into a home of her own, she extended her love, care and support to her own pets which were her babies, her kids she cherished to ends of the Earth. She would do anything for them and ensured only the best for each of them, even to the extent of scheduling reoccurring deliveries of specially formulated food. She continually spoke with them throughout the day. Susan also shared her love of animals in broader fashion to other animals not in her home, such as by being instrumental in the design, financing and hands-on construction of the Humane Society in Tucson Arizona. Susan wrote that she most enjoyed “creating, designing and building.” She also wrote in 2010, her most fulfilling experience in her life was “training Mihi & Bently as therapy dogs and then visiting folks and seeing them light up.”

Susan worked with women, Native Americans and others as she showered them with her sensitive, kind nature encouraging each of them in their educational and spiritual growth. She

proudly supported those in the Boys and Girls Club of America and sponsored female students within the Unbound program both financially and spiritually as they worked to obtain higher education and prepare for their careers. Susan once wrote in a leadership strength finder course that she was at her best having “joy in encouraging people to be the best of who they are.” Susan’s philanthropic nature of donating her time, support and finances extended to many other organizations throughout Tucson including substantial yearly donations to the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Tohono Chul Gardens, Galleries and Bistro.

In addition to Susan’s intelligence and analytical nature, she was exceptionally creative and artistic. She was an accomplished artist and instructor at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. She enjoyed creating art of all forms, such as with acrylics, chalk, pencil, oil paints and water colors. She especially enjoyed photography. Many of her works of art and life-like photos of animals, desert cactus and flowers were displayed throughout her home and sold throughout other events in Tucson. Susan especially enjoyed making cards and gifts for family and friends as she sent monthly handmade cards using various scrapbooking and stamping techniques. Susan also enjoyed many methods of sewing such as sewing various outfits, knitting, cross stitching and quilting.

Susan was multi-lingual with the ability to write and speak fluently in other languages such as German, Hebrew, Latin and Spanish just to name a few. Susan also loved music. She enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and playing an Indian flute. She was privileged and honored to play the guitar during her Notre Dame Commencement ceremony.

Outside of her strenuous work schedule and extensive artistic activities, Susan loved to travel and was also a very physically active person who was always on the go such as doing wood working in her shop, playing tennis, hiking and bicycling in the El Tour De Tucson. She thoroughly enjoyed nature and wildlife such as bobcats, coyotes, javelinas, hummingbirds, roadrunners, quail and more which were all often visitors in her own courtyard and backyard. She traveled with family and friends to many places within the country and to others countries including visiting Israel, Germany with her Mother (visiting ancestral family), the Philippines (attending commencement ceremonies for students she sponsored) and visiting Australia multiple times just to name a few. She said the best time of her life was spending three weeks in Australia, along with other subsequent visits. She commented at times she had a dream of retiring in Australia.

Susan once wrote, “The best thing I like about myself is I am never bored.” When Susan wasn’t creating new art and enjoying her other indoor passions or enjoying the outdoors, she was an avid reader of all forms of media. She stayed up to date with the most recent news such as in the financial markets and the medical field, but she thoroughly enjoyed participating in a book club with her dearest friends.

Susan will be treasured, cherished, loved and missed by so many family and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Edith (Budfuloski) Laundy. She is

survived by her feline children - Isaac and Elijah, her African Gray Parrot - Maron, brothers - Charles T. and Ken A. Laundy, three nieces, a nephew, eight great-nieces and nephews and many strong, enduring friendships she kept very close in her heart.

The family would like to thank Saint John the Baptist Church of Kansas City, Kansas for providing services and acknowledging Susan’s passing and interment. Susan’s caring and compassion are apparent through the many important non-profits to which she provided consistent support over the years. In lieu of flowers, we are certain she would prefer those wanting to share gifts of their love through donations to one of the following charities:

· Humane Society of Southern Arizona

· Habitat for Humanity

· Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

· Boys and Girls Club of America

· Tohono Chul Gardens, Galleries and Bistro

· Ursuline Order of Mount Saint Joseph

· Sisters of Charity Leavenworth.