SUSAN CAROL STOKKE MCGUFFEY

Susan Carol Stokke McGuffey passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, September 3, 2006 in Galveston, Texas. She died in the arms of her loving husband, Patrick. Susan was a woman endowed with a profound and ennobling sense of selflessness that was evident in the many kind and thoughtful acts that characterized her life.

Susan was born in Seattle, Washington on October 26, 1947 to Carl and Ruth Stokke. She was the oldest of three children and a second generation NorwegianAmerican. She grew up in Seattle and graduated from Shoreline High School in 1965. By 1971 Susan had moved to Longview, Texas and settled into a job with Owl-flex, Inc., located in Kilgore. She did accounting for the firm until its closing in 1989. During these years Susan grew to be a mature and respected woman and acquired many friends. She attended Kilgore College and graduated from The University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in 1986. In 1976 Susan became involved with a dedicated core of individuals determined to raise funds to build a proper shelter for the area's injured and unwanted animals. The group succeeded admirably after many years of fund-raising, finally establishing The Humane Society of Gregg County, (currently, The Humane Society of North Texas), in a new facility at 303 Enterprise Street in Longview. Susan served on the Board, including a stint as President, for many years. It was both a gratifying and seminal experience for Susan. During these years she met and married Patrick McGuffey, her partner for life.

With HSGC successfully functioning, Susan became a tutor with the newly created East Texas Literacy Council, whose goal was teaching fundamental literacy to adults. She delighted in her students' progress and continued in this until her husband took a job transfer to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1994. Shortly thereafter Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer, but rather than fall into a dolorous self pity she chose to become a volunteer "sitter" at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Her singular responsibility was to offer nurture and solace to the children, many with horrible deformities and short life expectancies. She had to become mother to the motherless and to offer the only loving press of human flesh that some would ever know, as many would never leave ACH. Requiring great love, fortitude and tears, it was a duty Susan never regarded as a sad endurance, but rather a gift of her humanity - a duty she never shirked. For that she was much loved in return. During that time Susan discovered quilting, a challenge that provided enjoyment and distraction to the last days of her life.

In early 1998 another job opportunity brought Susan and Patrick to Galveston. Their new home opened up a new life. By happenstance Susan volunteered for the Fall Adopt-A-Beach cleanup in an estuary that Scenic Galveston, a regional conservation service organization, had undertaken to restore. The group's work became a passion for Susan and her efforts earned her a

place on the Executive Board from 1999 to the present. Further recognition by Scenic Galveston came when they named a parcel of wetlands the Susan McGuffey Childrens' Marsh in 2003. Susan's love of plants and nature inspired her to get a Master Gardener certification. She became a member of the Galveston Garden Club in 1999. She held the office of Treasurer from then to the present. Susan loved the natural history of Galveston Bay and the upper Texas coast. She devoted countless hours of her life to its preservation.

Susan's love of children manifested itself in the special love and devotion she lavished on her nephew and niece, David and Rachel Klapper. She spent nearly every vacation in Kentucky to be with them during their growing years. She made an inestimable impact on their lives. Susan also had much affection for her "little sister," Brittany Lee. Susan and Brittany were matched through Big Brothers - Big Sisters Gulf Coast Inc. in 1998. Susan had always wanted to mentor a young girl. Their eight years together forged a strong bond that endures today. Susan's unwavering commitment to the program was recognized when the Daily News of Galveston County honored her with one of its Unsung Hero Awards in 2004. Susan accepted with her typical self-effacing gratitude.

Many in Galveston knew Susan from H & R Block on Fort Crockett, where she began as a tax preparer in 1999. She managed that office from 2001 through 2005 and in that time enjoyed close and abiding friendships with co-workers. She always anticipated the camaraderie and challenges of each new tax season.

Susan always sought a way of loving the world with a quality of spirit that was superior to any circumstance of calamity or misfortune. She

lived life with a quiet dignity and stoic good nature. She listened to all and was always a friend to all - people and creatures alike. Susan and Patrick had recently become members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston and were anticipating new friendships.

Susan is survived by her devoted husband, Patrick, whose life was so inextricably bound to hers through deep affection and shared interests, it was rare to find them apart. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia, and husband, Phillip Klapper, MD, of Murray, Kentucky; brother, Jeffery Stokke and wife, Stacie, of Seattle, Washington; nephew, David Klapper, of Lexington, Kentucky; niece, Rachel Klapper, of Murray; stepdaughter, Christina McGuffey Ogden and husband, Anthony, of Longview; "little sister," Brittany Lee, of Galveston; and her two cats, Abbey and Bella.

The family will receive visitors after 6:00 pm, Friday, September 8th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 pm.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lowell Martin, Ronnie and Pat McDaniel, and Lee and Kay Pigeon, all from the Longview area; and Elbert and Evangeline Whorton, Gregg and Lalise Mason, Valerie Jackson, Eleanor Childs, Mark Muhick, Ina Denton, Silvia Vela, and Tracy Nicar, from the Galveston area.

The family would like to thank Dr. Frankie Ann Holmes and Staff at Texas Oncology, and all the wonderful friends whose thoughts and deeds eased Susan's last days.

Memorials may be made to Big Brothers - Big Sisters Gulf Coast, Inc., the Galveston Garden Club, Hospice Care Team, Inc., or any environmental group of your choice.