Susan Carlson

Obituary of Susan M. Carlson

On January 22, 2011, Sue Carlson lost her more-than-eight year battle with ovarian cancer. Her determination to fight the disease was an inspiration to family, friends and colleagues. Sue's smile and optimism helped her and others deal with both the disease and the treatments she received. She is being remembered for her intelligence, humor, tolerance thoughtfulness and genuine concern for others. She is survived by her husband of twenty-seven years, Chuck Carlson, loving daughter Christine, her mother Marguerite Peters, sisters Kathie Peters, Jean Makris and husband Tom, and Terry Peters; brothers Kelly Peters, Jr. and Tim Peters; nephews Christopher Larsen and Kelly Peters III, nieces Courtney Gray, Kristina Peters, Samantha Peters, Amy Larsen, Hillary Peters, Emma Peters, and Ellie Peters; sister-in-law Linda Odegard and husband Harlan Cavert. Sue was an avid gardener and particularly loved roses of all types. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was often asked to sing at family events and sung with the Macalester Festival Choir for many years. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and reading mysteries. She and her husband traveled extensively throughout the U.S., though New York was always their favorite destination; and fittingly it was their last trip in October 2010. Sue was born Susan Marie Peters in Lake Forest, IL, January 2, 1952. She was a graduate of Lake Forest High School, then Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN in 1973. She later earned her MBA at St. Thomas University in Saint Paul. Her thirty-five year career in banking began at F&M Savings Bank in Minneapolis. In 1981 she joined American National Bank of Saint Paul and was a senior officer there when the bank was acquired in 1996. Sue and Chuck moved to Aptos, CA in 1996, and Sue established a bank consulting business. In 2001 she joined Monterey Bay Bank in Watsonville, CA as senior vice president. In 2005 she joined Pacific Valley Bank in Salinas, CA as senior vice president. She retired in late 2007 following a recurrence of her cancer. While in Saint Paul, Sue was on the board of directors of the March of Dimes and president of the YWCA. She was on the board of directors of Goodwill Industries in Santa Cruz County and participated annually in Relay for Life. Sue was a member of the ovarian cancer support group at the Katz Cancer Resource Center at Dominican Hospital, whose members provided her with support, love and friendship for more than eight years. The family of Sue Carlson extends thanks and appreciation to the many people who helped Sue and her family deal with her final days and ask that memorials be sent in memory of Sue Carlson to: Katz Cancer Resource Center 1555 Soquel Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95065 Hospice of Santa Cruz County 940 Disc Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Susan
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
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