Susana Yen Hendricks

Susana “Susie” Yen Hendricks (b. November 23,1929 in Ningpo, China) of Oceanside, California passed away on August 22nd, 2020. She is survived by her husband Herbert, and her four children Eric, Leif, Astrid and Christopher. She is preceded in death by her parents Xuan-Ling 'Jane' (nee Jing) and Wan-Li 'Willie' Yen and her four brothers; Paul, William, Victor and Luis. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kaitlin, Nicholas, Emma, Alexander, Gregory, Haley, Gabriella, Zoe, Maude, Duncan and Theodore and two great grandchildren James and Maggie.

A scholar and an educator, Susana was fluent in Mandarin, Spanish and English and with a working knowledge of French, German and Portuguese, her original intentions were to be a translator for the United Nations. Those plans changed when she met her husband of 67 years, Herbert. While raising their family, she channeled her desire to learn and educate into many avenues throughout her life. She taught Spanish at Redlands High School and at the University of California at Riverside, and during the 1980's served as a lecturer in ethnic studies at Humboldt State University. Her focus was on educating students about the influence and contributions of those who immigrated from Asia and their impact on the development and success of California and the United States. She and her colleagues' efforts led to the permanent inclusion of a set of ethnic studies courses offered at Humboldt State University. Susie fought against racial injustice that she experienced, as well as championed the rights of others throughout Humboldt County. She served as a member of the Eureka chapter of the NAAC(P). She was a leader in the Humboldt County labor movement and was actively involved in the Asian student association at Humboldt State.

At the age of 7 Susana moved with her family to Mexico City, Mexico where her father worked as a diplomat for the Chinese Nationalist government, staying there until the end of World War II. In 1947, the Yen’s returned to Shanghai, China only to have to flee China in 1948 ahead of the communist army, to Songkhla, Thailand where her father worked for the Chinese Nationalists. In 1949 Susie traveled to the United States to attend Mary Hardin-Baylor College and then transferred to the University of Redlands.

At University of Redlands she met the love of her life, Herbert Hendricks. Susie and Herb were married February 16th, 1953 in Richland, Washington and had their first child, Eric, in 1954 in Phoenix, Arizona while they both were attending The American Institute for Foreign Trade (Thunderbird). After Eric’s birth, Susie and Herb moved to New York where Herb worked for Allyn & Bacon publishing company. After a rough winter on the East Coast they returned to California where their son Leif was born in 1959 in Redlands, California. In 1963 Herb enrolled in graduate school at Stanford University and the family moved again. Stanford was where their only daughter Astrid was born in 1964. They spent a year and a half in Guadalajara, Mexico with their three kids, while Herb worked on research for his dissertation. Susie used her linguistics skills to help Herb complete his research by translating his English to Spanish. After Herb’s graduation from Stanford with his doctorate, the family moved to Canoga Park, while Herb taught at UCLA. Susie and Herb's son Christopher was born in 1967 in Encino.

In 1971, the family moved to Arcata, California when Herb became a professor at Humboldt State University. During their 20+ year stay in Humboldt County, Susie, Herb, Astrid and Chris lived in Bolivia for two years while Herb worked for USAED. When Herb retired from HSU in 1993, they moved to Oceanside, California to be closer to their family.

Susie traveled with Herb and family to China, Europe and Latin America where she and Herb enjoyed experiencing the art and culture. She was an accomplished jogger, running up to 7 miles a day at one point, as a part of her daily routine. She was an avid cook (her collection of cookbooks was legendary), master cookie baker, loved reading, calligraphy and Chinese watercolor painting, and was passionate about classical music and opera (attending many live performances of both). She lived for family gatherings and having her children and grandchildren around was very important to her.

Susie was a loving and supportive wife and mother to Herb and their children for more than 67 years. She will be remembered and missed for her unshakeable love for her husband and children, her wisdom, intellect, charm, wit, indomitable spirit and the ability to light up every room with her smile. Te llevas contigo Susie/mami todo nuestro cariño. Hasta que te volvamos a ver.