When Susan Stone-Douglas passed from the Earth she Loved, 21 May 2021, she left behind her loving family and legions of friends and admirers. The love Sue had for all that is Good in Life was shared with everyone she would meet in her time. As many witnessed the comments that were shared in several posts on Facebook, one of her favorite pastimes, Sue was held dearly in the hearts of many.

Susan Stone, a fourth generation Black Hills Pioneer, was born on 16 December 1947 into the loving family of Ben R. Stone Jr. And Veronica Clark Stone. Sue would join older siblings, Ben R. Stone III (1937-2018) and Charlotte Stone Carey (1938- ). She would greet baby brother William Jacob (Bill) Stone in 1949. Sues formative years and education were in Lead, South Dakota. She was a graduate of Hearst Free Kindergarten through Lead High School with the class of 1965 resulting in many lifelong friends. Sue would never stop learning through being an avid reader and striving to be the best advocate in her careers and passions of her life. In 1977, when Sue returned to her beloved Black Hills she would live her passion for Everything in God's Creation. From the stars above and birds that fly, all critters from A to Z and the earth beneath her feet. Sue loved it all.  This love of life was inherited from three generations of Clark/Stone families who had learned to respect all things natural. As children our Mother would sing the hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Wise and Wonderful, the Lord God made them All!" It was Sue's favorite and she lived it like an anthem. She would live her life 'out in the woods' one way or another to her last day.

In 1987, Sue married Jerry Douglas (1950-2013) who she met while work ing for the Forest Service. During their years together they lived 23 years on Nemo Road with " My pasture" out the back door. She would relish the solitude of her trees, an abundance of wildlife and Rocks. What Jerry greatly enjoyed were endless rides throughout the Black Hills Forests and schlepping home tons of rocks. When Jerry died Sue was quick to indoctrinate her brother Bill into the joy of her rides. Rides were actually a part of our lives from childhood when our Father Ben would announce " let's go for a ride"! When our brother Ben, who helped instill in Sue her love of nature, moved into nursing homes the rides became weekly. After Ben died in 2018, the rides had become a wonderful ritual. Nothing went unnoticed. "Oh look at that bird", awesome tree or rock outcrop and of course all critters. Through years of self study and learning from like minded family and friends, Sue could name almost everything natural in the Black Hills. Sue was very convincing that she talked to the animals, especially those that would visit her backyards. Sue loved all seasons, her favorite being Fall and she couldn't wait for when Spring Green brought the forests back to life. Winter didn't escape her passion with contrasting brilliant blue skies, snow covered trees and geology readily visible. Sue lived several years in Des Moines, Iowa honing her secretarial skills with Equitable of Iowa. The Clark/Stone yen for travel was satisfied when she lived in London, England for a year with Bens family during which time they traveled to Russia. She also went on a tour by herself to Spain. At home in America, she went on extensive trips to the coasts with Charlotte and Ben. The last trip to sister Charlottes in Madison, WI, we were guided by nephew Bill Carey, to his home in Columbus, Ohio and continued on to Steubenville to visit our Stone family roots and cemetery. Sues passion for everything involving the broad spectrum of the Arts was inherited from three generations of cultured ancestors who came to the Black Hills with the Gold Rush. No TV for our first ten years we listened to all kinds of music. Sue would mimic our dad directing the orchestra and in later years would play 'air drums'. Sues favorite though was any of the visual arts. From Batik to Chihuly, Impressionist to Native American Art. Her career in the Black Hills art scene began with several years at Dragons Are to Seldom. When that ended, South Dakotans for the Arts had learned of her organizational and communications skills and quickly brought her on as Administrative Assistant. She relished her new career and quickly learned Everything about the Arts in South Dakota and Arts Beyond Boundaries regional association. Sue would work a total of twenty-four years rubbing elbows with the panache of the Art world. Sue was known as a very genuine person who greeted each day and every person with enthusiasm and her every present smile.

Sue will be greatly missed by older sister Charlotte Carey, Madison, Wi and her son Bill Carey who shared memorable times in the Black Hills. Her 'little' brother Bill will miss his 'big' sister Sue beyond measure. In recent years after Sue moved back to town, they shared a special bond beyond being siblings. Her nieces, Dena Stone Sandidge and Dixie Stone of Spearfish and cousin Burt Row of Galena will find find it difficult seeing her empty chair at family gatherings. Her Iowa family, first sister-in-law Mary Pat Stone and her children Veronica Rhiner and Ben R. Stone IV who shared wonderful years with Sue during her years in Des Moines. Sue will miss seeing all her great nieces and nephews grow as adults. Several cousins enjoyed their times with Sue because of shared interests. Also greatly missing Sue is a special friend, Carol Meyer, who in recent years became very close. Sue's final Rites will be at Christ Episcopal Church in Lead, the family church for nearly 140 years. The service will be at 1:00 on June 19. Sue will be interred in a private ceremony at the National Cemetery.

Sue would love to see people in tee shirts that speak of who you are but she also loved to dress sharp for occasions with her special jewelry. Memorials will go to Christ Episcopal Church, Twin City Animal Shelter and the Lead Deadwood Art Center.