Susan Elanor (Ashcroft) Yates joined her eternal family on Saturday, May 16 at 5:29 pm.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Herbert Curtis Ashcroft and Elisabeth Elanor Ashcroft, and her brother, Bruce Alan Ashcroft.
Susan was born July 11, 1955 in Belleville, Illinois. The majority of her childhood was spent in Pine Beach, New Jersey. She loved the Jersey shore, crabbing, gardening, playing in the woods, and visiting her maternal grandparents. She felt she had an “idyllic” childhood, and had many cherished memories of that time.
After her mother’s death in 1966, Susan moved with her family to Bosque Farms, New Mexico. She graduated from Los Lunas High School. She ran track in high school, and also enjoyed riding horses and skiing.
She made her home in Cedar Crest, New Mexico. She loved nature, and owned a cabin and property near the Sandia Peak ski area that was surrounded by mountains and wildflowers. She enjoyed New Mexico chile, natillas, sopapillas, turquoise, horse racing, and the Balloon Festival. Susan also enjoyed visiting her extended Ashcroft family in New Mexico, spending time with her son, and many hours with cousins, Aunts, Uncles and her father and step mother who were living in Los Lunas.
She eventually moved to Honeapath, South Carolina in 1996.
Once again, it was her love of nature that drew her to that part of the country. She had several acres of land with beautiful trees and views that she shared with her ex-husband, Jim Yates, her beloved raccoon, Jake, many, many cats, horses and dogs.
Susan had a very successful career as a Liability Adjuster and Subrogation specialist at Farmer’s Auto Insurance in Albuquerque. After moving to Honeapath, she worked at the Timken Bearings Company as a Process Associate and Quality Analyst until her retirement.
Sue moved to Mesa, Arizona in 2009 to be closer to her immediate family. She became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and cherished her family home evening group. She also had a very close relationship with her home teachers, the Austins. The Church was a source of great support and love for Susan. She enjoyed traveling; especially a recent vacation in Hawaii with her son, Richard. She was kind, loved to laugh, was very thoughtful, and made many lifelong friends.
Richard, who lives in Aspen, Colorado, was her greatest joy. Her happiest times were following his skiing and athletics as well as his catering career-along with his many travels.
Susan achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in business. She also recently completed training to become a Peer Support Specialist, and graduated from the Momentum Program in Phoenix. In 2011 she worked at the Marc Center in Mesa, AZ in Quality Control and assembling products. She also provided weekly care for her parents in their Mesa home.
She is survived by her son- Richard Mendoza, brother- Michael Curtis Ashcroft, sister- Sharon Elisabeth Ashcroft and step-mother Janet Ashcroft.
A memorial service will be held at 6 pm, May 22nd, at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 Cave Creek Road. Phoenix, AZ 85024.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to NAMI Arizona via their website.
I loved Susan and will miss her humble, sweet spirit.
I enjoyed so much our wonderful conversations we had on Sundays. She always had a smile for me. I loved getting to know her kind spirit. Grateful she will have her special reunion with loved ones.
I got to know Susan through visiting teaching. She was a faithful spirit and took visiting teaching very seriously. She reported her visits to me by a personal phone call. She is my friend! She was and is… kind, humble, thoughtful. I shall miss her smile each week as I walked into Sacrament meeting. She was the 1st face and smile that I saw. I love U, Susan!
State representative Nancy Barto interacted with Sue several times in the area of Human Rights for the patients at Arizona State Hospital. She and her husband sent a $100 donation to NAMI AZ. Thank you for your kind remembrance in honor of Susan- Nancy and Joe.