Susan Johnson Fritts - A Celebration of Life

Susan Johnson Fritts passed away unexpectedly on August 22nd, 2023. Her family and friends are deeply devastated, and the mourning of her loss will carry on for some time to come. However, Susan was a woman who relished celebration, and our hope is to put on a Celebration of Life that will live up to the level of exuberant joy she bestowed upon the world.

To this end, we’re inviting family, friends and the members of Susan’s community to chip in to help make this a celebration she’d be proud of.

Funds raised will go toward venue rental, furnishings & equipment, food & drinks, decorations and any other event costs. Any funds remaining after those costs are met would be put towards recovering other unexpected end-of-life costs.

A bit about Susan…

She was born January 15th, 1953 in Ukiah, CA, to Ken and Pat Johnson. She grew up in a loving household with her parents and five sisters (Kate, Julie, Annie, Jen and Carol). Her upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of fairness and compassion, a deep devotion to family and friendship, a love of our world both natural and spiritual, a yearning for exploration and adventure, an irrepressible impulse to dance, and a healthy fear of Yosemite Sam.

She was a lifelong seeker of knowledge. She received her formal schooling from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Ukiah High and South Valley High. Further education was found in the forests and orchards, rivers and creeks, valleys and coastlines of Mendocino County; in the Arizona desert; among the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana; in the wilds of Oregon, Washington and Alaska; along the back roads of Arkansas and the side streets of New Orleans; and in the vast frontiers of PBS, National Geographic & Turner Classic Movies.

She married, and married, and married, but left this world an unbridled woman.

She is survived by her daughter Gabrielle Johnson (of Fort Bragg, CA); her sons Jake MacLachlan (of San Francisco, CA) and George Bennett Fritts (of Conifer, CO); her grandchildren Alicia Duke, and Bennett, Atlas and Aspen Fritts; her daughters-in-law Alexandra MacLachlan and Frankie Fritts; her sisters Kathleen Roberts, Jennifer Arvizo and Carol Johnson; and dozens of beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members. She also leaves behind scores of cherished friendships gained through a lifetime dedicated to building and nourishing community.

She is predeceased by her parents Kenneth and Patricia Johnson; her sisters Julie Johnson and Ann Day; and many revered cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents, including her grandfather and Baseball Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan, who died the year before her birth but deserves mention because he’s a big deal.

She was a defender of the downtrodden, and safe harbor for the adrift. She was an admirer of sunrises and shirtless hunks. She was a friend to plants and rocks, and an enemy to squirrels.

She passed away peacefully in her home in Monte Rio, CA on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023.

She now takes her place amongst the goddesses.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

• Saturday, October 28th 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Saturday Afternoon Clubhouse: 107 S Oak St, Ukiah, CA

Please RSVP to the Celebration of Life— and send any questions— via the “Contact”button below.