Susann McCarthy

Susann McCarthy, born in California on October 6, 1943: Brilliant. Wise. Gently ironic. Knowledgeable. Determined. Kind. Strong willed. Funny. Perspicacious. Book lover. Endlessly busy. Firmly ethical. Frighteningly well informed.  

From an early age Susann developed the skill of being a good audience.  Her laugh was a deep, boisterous thing that fairly burst forth from her, notable since childhood and always at the ready thereafter. Her cousin Chris says, “I will always remember, clear in my ear and deeply ingrained in me, that wonderful laugh.  She owned it.  And in life she earned it.”  Susann forged her own path early on and stayed forever more true to it.  And that path planted her firmly on the right side of history.  She'd be a fine citizen of an ideal world.

She was the best of friends to many. The groups she founded, led and participated in were an important part of her life because they were all paths to becoming a better person. When she led she did so from a one-down position – she believed strongly in everyone being honored and heard.

Susann worked on herself constantly; everything she did was focused on that goal. She became vegan. She read widely in non-fiction to inform herself. When she knew a major change was necessary, she made the necessary changes. And she did it decisively and quickly.  

Susann was a devoted book person and loved the library. She read everything from Diana Gabaldon to Proust (when she was young, and in the French).  She was deeply spiritual, and this informed her life. Thich Nhat Hanh was her Teacher, and her Sangha was the center of her life. As this time passed friends became conscious of alterations in her state of being. She became more peaceful, more calm. Her focus deepened; she slowed down a bit. Her sense of humor came to the fore.

Of her some would say that she got many of the cosmological big points:  

• The monotheists' Golden Rule (all three variants) - check;  
• The Sufi's behavioral dicta (In every situation you find yourself, do one of two things; give help or get help; To everyone you meet, be one of two things; a lover or a teacher.)  - check.

In the last few days before her death, Susann was relaxed, at peace.  Susan left this world peacefully, at home, January 3^rd, 2024, surrounded by an eclectic group of friends from the 12-Step, Buddhist, Interfaith and Episcopal paths, with the Heart Sutra being chanted as she drifted to sleep.

 A memorial will be held at 1pm on Saturday May 18^th, at Columbine Trail, off highway 38 going toward Red River.

The family of Susann McCarthy has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019