Susan "Susie" Pearl Kirkpatrick
May 4, 1946 -
Oct 31, 2024
Susan Pearl Kirkpatrick, 78, passed peacefully on Oct. 31, 2024, in Escondido, Calif., with family support after a cancer diagnosis in the spring. Susie was born on May 4, 1946, in San Diego, to Geneva Minnie Dorman and Claude Leon Kirkpatrick and raised in Pacific Beach, Calif., with her older sisters Margaret and Marian.
Susan married Robert Gary Posey in California in 1967, and lived with their daughter Julie in South Carolina; Boston, Mass.; and eventually Anchorage, Alaska, in 1977, where she remained until 2009. While in Alaska, Susie married David Lee Rayfield in 1978. They have a son, David.
Susie worked in medical and education administration and retired from the Anchorage School District after many years at Campbell Elementary School.
A dynamic individual, Susie participated in many activities and interests throughout her life: Climbed Mt. Whitney, at 14, with her dad - the highest mountain in California, at 14,505 feet; Member of the International Order of Rainbow Girls service organization in San Diego with sister Margaret; Church and school choir performances and music education at San Diego State University; Earned a personal pilot's license and joined the Alaska Chapter of The Ninety Nine's, International Organization of Women's Pilots; Performed as a member of the Holy Fools Clown Troupe, ministering in community parades and events in Anchorage.
Susie's adventures took her far to Thailand, Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand. She went up and down with numerous trips north and south on the Alcan, the infamous Alaska through Canada highway, and wide with travels east and west for family and fun in the south and the sun.
Susie most recently lived the high mountain life in Big Bear Lake, Calif., and enjoyed serving her community volunteering at the hospital, the pioneer museum and the zoo. She enjoyed her family, making memories and quilts, and serving the Lord. Her last laugh was selling amusement at Alpine Slide Magic Mountain Family Center.
Susan is predeceased by her parents; spouses; and oldest sister, Margaret E. (Daniel) Ontiveros. She is survived and missed by her sister, Marian L. (Thomas) Field of San Marcos, Calif.; children, Julie (Russell) House of Naselle, Wash., and David (Jaime) Rayfield of Escondido, Calif.; six grandchildren; and extended families and friends.
Her cremated remains will be scattered at sea in a private family ceremony on her birthday off Point Loma, Calif. There will be a Celebration of Life on Jan. 19, 2025, at 3 p.m. AKST, at Jewel Lake Parish, 3833 Strawberry Road in Anchorage. Contact Dave Rayfield at 760-994-9259 or dkrayfield@gmail.com for more information about online participation.
In lieu of flowers, please share memories with your loved ones or go and do something new. Ride the slide, play at the zoo! Give a smile to someone in need or sew some baby clothes for church and do a good deed.
