Darrell lovingly sang to her, providing comfort and release as she passed from this life into the next. Sue’s warmth, compassion and graciousness extended to everyone she met. Her love and caring often manifested itself through her crafts, sewing clothing for the family, constantly knitting sweaters, hats and blankets and creating the several collections of Winnie the Pooh characters as stuffed animals. In recent years, she would sit on her front porch in Vista del Lago, greeting everyone who passed by. She loved connecting with people and her love and warmth were felt by everyone she met.
Sue was born on July 6th 1929 in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, the first daughter of Eleanor and Leonard Brown. She had two siblings, Douglas and Virginia. She attended primary and secondary school in East Stroudsburg and moved with her family to Easton and later to Upper Black Eddy, PA. She attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania - graduated in 1951 with a degree in Psychology - then attended one year at Pittsburgh Theological seminary. It was at Westminster College she met Darrell Winston Yeaney, her future husband.
Sue and Darrell were married in August of 1952 and returned to New Wilmington where Sue found work in the office of the college Dean of Students while Darrell completed his studies. In the fall of 1952 after their wedding, the young couple moved to Pittsburgh where Sue worked as an expediter at Westinghouse Corp supporting Darrell through three years of theological seminary. In 1956 they moved to Manhattan, Kansas where their three children, Linda Sue, Timothy Dale and Jennifer Kay were born and Darrell served as pastor of the United Presbyterian Church.
The family moved to Emporia, Kansas in 1961 where Darrell served as campus minister. In addition to being a full time mother and pastor’s wife, Sue served as editor of the statewide newsletter for the League of Women Voters. In 1969 they moved from Emporia to Boston where Sue supported the family by working in the office of a cheese importer while Darrell was studying for his PhD.
After 3 years in Boston, the family moved to Santa Cruz, California, where out of her concern about something missing in the lives of residents living in care facilities across Santa Cruz County, Sue devised, founded and grew an organization to address this need. She named it “I-You Venture", inspired by Martin Buber’s book, “I and Thou”. With a mission to improve the lives of long term care facility residents, Sue coordinated and trained scout troops, school groups, community and religious organizations, and individual volunteers to visit care facilities and even started an “Adopt-a-Grandparent” program. For this work Sue Yeaney received a Certificate of Commendation from the State Senate of California.
One of Sue and Darrell’s most enduring and significant volunteer efforts over the years was their dedication to promoting peace in the Middle East. The couple led more than a dozen trips to the region bringing groups of students, teachers, peace activists and later members of Congressional staff to learn about the realities on the ground in Israel and Palestine.
In 1986, the couple moved to Iowa City, Iowa where Sue taught in the Aging Studies program of the University of Iowa and later became the Coordinator of Volunteers for Hospice of Johnson County.
In 2007, after retirement, the couple moved back to Santa Cruz, California buying a home in Scotts Valley to be near daughter Jenny. In August of 2022, the couple celebrated their Jubilee year 70th Anniversary, bringing together family from across the United States. Son-in-law Ti’s Plateau Jazz Band performed while Darrell sang “Sweet Sue”. The party was an event of great joy, which ended with Sue leading everyone around the room in a massive conga line. Sue is survived by her husband Darrell Yeaney, children Linda (Howard), Tim (Mary) and Jenny (Ti) and grandchildren David (Nicole), Eliana, Emily, Katie and Julietta.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 420 Melrose Ave, Santa Cruz on Saturday February 17th 2024 at 1:00pm. (NOTE: change of time from 3:00pm to 1:00pm)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz by clicking on the link below or to organizations dedicated to promoting peace in the Middle East. The family is especially grateful for the assistance of Hospice of Santa Cruz and all the caring nurses and staff. A special Thank You to Sue’s in-home caregivers who supported Sue and made it possible for her to spend her final moments in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family.
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