Susan Roberts Richey

With heaviest hearts, we relay the news of Susan Roberts Richey’s passing on June 6, 2026. She is survived by a devoted husband (Mack Richey), four children (Julie Chandler, Jeffrey Richey and wife Sonja Richey, Kristen Richey Washburn and husband Alexander Washburn, and Jessica Richey and husband Peter McGrew), seven grandchildren (Alexander Richey, Kathryn Chandler, Morgan Richey, Michael Chandler, Harper Curtis, Webster Curtis, and August McGrew) and two great grandchildren (Brooklyn Richey and Justin Richey).

Born 1946 in Camden, New Jersey, Susan was the eldest of Richard and Mary Roberts’ six children (Susan is survived by siblings Richard Roberts, Kathryn Hansson, Allen Roberts, Virginia Reilly, and James Roberts). Susan graduated from Millburn High School in 1964. From childhood she was determined to become a nurse, demonstrating her interest and aptitude by caring for her many younger siblings and neighborhood children. By her early twenties, she completed her nursing degree at Lasalle University. Susan was widowed at the young age of 22. She later moved to Seattle and became head nurse at Valley Medical Center’s Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

At the hospital Susan met her husband-to-be, Dr. Mack David Richey, and his two wonderful young children, Julie and Jeffrey. In 1974, Susan and Mack were married, and they began an exciting and fulfilling life together. They traveled and sailed, grew their family, gave back to the community, created several businesses, and cultivated the most loving and rich community of dear friends. From Susan and Mack’s love of the Seattle Supersonics, to the family’s many watersports, to playing golf in retirement, Susan loved engaging in, watching, and talking about her favorite sports.

Motherhood held Susan’s greatest joy and purpose in life. She was incredibly active with her kids’ elementary school, St. Thomas, and was the best “horse show mom” that ever lived. She adopted many “second children” along the away. In the 1980’s Susan became involved with the Bellevue Town Hall Series. She joined the Board of the Pacific Northwest Ballet in 1992 and was elevated to a Life Fellow after many devoted years alongside life-long friends she met at the organization.

Susan seeded and grew the family’s apple farm, Sumac Orchards, in Eastern Washington. For many years, she enjoyed working alongside her brother, who was the orchard manager. She also juggled the family ranch and hay business in Cle Elum, Washington.

Susan had a lifelong connection to the water, sailing and yachting with family for many years in both child- and adulthood, as well as living on waterfront properties on Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The family also enjoyed many years and every Christmas in Sun Valley, Idaho enjoying both summers and winters hosting friends and family.

When Mack fully retired, Susan and he spent increasing time in La Quinta, California. She created a huge network of “best friends” at The Hideaway Golf Club and absolutely loved her time on the golf course with dear girlfriends.

Susan had endless energy and love for her grandchildren. And we see Susan’s spirit – her heart, kindness, and tenacity - in these beautiful children.

The family is organizing a Celebration of Life to honor the astounding impact, joy, and love that Susan brought to the world. Tentative date is set for August 26th at the Seattle Tennis Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to or joining the family’s Obliteride team to raise funds for cancer research at Fred Hutch Cancer Center (link below), where Susan received the most compassionate care in her final months.

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Mom’s Last Four Months:

On January 31st, Mom had an emergency hip replacement surgery after a fall. The anesthesia and recovery agitated an underlying auto-immune disease which causes lung inflammation. She suffered from pneumonia and was in and out of the ICU. Testing revealed she had lung cancer. After a month in Eisenhower Hospital, we brought Mom back to Seattle so she could be seen at the Fred Hutch. We received wonderful attention and care at this world class cancer center. We were devastated to learn that her cancer was Stage 4. We were optimistic, knowing that cutting edge research and treatments can cure or at least significantly extend and improve lives. Unfortunately, based on her cancer’s molecular testing and underlying autoimmune disease, she was not a candidate for radiation, immunotherapy or chemo. In just a few short weeks, Mom went from a fall, to untreatable, incurable cancer. We were devastated. Of course, Mom remained steadfastly positive.

While the family was completely crushed and unable to comprehend a life without her, we poured all our energy into LOVING Mom. We cared for her in the same nurturing and doting way she raised us. We created memories, planned bucket list adventures, and hosted constant family dinners.

We all hoped that Mom had many months to live, maybe a year if we were really lucky.

While our Mom is the first person to help a stranger, give the shirt off her back, come to your rescue, and do anything and everything in her power to make people feel good, she was not comfortable receiving attention or help. She didn’t want to make any big announcements about her health or cause anyone to go out of their way. Instead, she embodied the inner grit and mental toughness that has always defined her. With a new hip and an autoimmune disease attacking her muscles and lungs, she often quietly “white knuckled” her way through visits and outings. It was hard for her to keep up her typical energizer-bunny pace, but she sure did try!

In the last few months, we enjoyed cooking under her supervision, learning to make her signature dishes. We hosted a family photo shoot to capture pictures together. We snuggled on the couch on her tired days, watching tennis, always watching tennis. We took her to get hair and nails done. We bought her new, cheery clothes to help her feel good. We helped Harper Susan (granddaughter), take her to Les Misérables at The Paramount – those two share both a name and a love of belting out tunes! We brought her to Webb’s (grandson) baseball games, while her youngest grandson, Gus, became her constant wheelchair companion and co-pilot. Lots of friends delivered cookies and flowers to brighten her days. We celebrated a joyful Easter at her son’s (Jeff) home with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a treasured Mother’s Day weekend on San Juan Island with her children and some of her grandchildren. Just a week before Mom passed away, we took her to a fun show with a group of about 15 girlfriends, daughters, and second daughters. She was the star of the show.

On June 3rd, Mom woke up in respiratory distress and was rushed to the UWMC ER and then moved to the Oncology ICU. We never left her side while she was in the hospital. We held her hand, we advocated for her, and slept with her at night. She always had family with her. We told her we loved her so many times that she finally, firmly exclaimed, “I KNOW YOU DO!!!!” (like enough, enough you guys😊).

Her siblings were due to fly in from the East Coast in a few days, and she started to worry that she might not be able to host and entertain them well enough from the hospital. We told her they’d be OK and could manage on their own, to which she said, “They are my younger siblings; they will always be little kids that I have to take care of in my mind.” Ever the nurturer.

In the hospital she had very lucid moments when she would tell Dad it was garbage night, tell the nurses how to handle the IV or administer the medications (once a nurse always a nurse). One nurse was sugar-coating just a bit too much, and she quipped, “you’re full of shit!”

She also told her doctors she knew her time was limited and that she wasn’t afraid. She kept telling us, “I’ve had a wonderful life; I am SO LUCKY. I’m not scared.” Such strength, courage, clarity and wisdom. During her last visit with a doctor, she was having a hard time focusing amidst the heavy medications, but she mustered up the energy to tell him, “I want you to know, I’ve had the best experience here – all the nurses are so sweet and the doctors have just been wonderful.” She even called out nurses by name. Always grateful, always trying to spread the joy and love and make people feel valued. It was her way, all the way, until her very last day.

On the evening of June 6th, Dad, Julie, Jeff, Sonja, Jessica, Kris and Alex gathered around her as she left this earth.

We take comfort knowing that she is resting comfortably. She envisioned that she’d always be flying above us, watching, checking on us, and certainly cheering us on.

We lost her too soon and too fast. But this is probably the way she wanted – she avoided an extended and painful decline. She looked and acted like our sweet, fun and beautiful Mom until her last day. She was able to participate in exciting and loving moments until she passed. We had time to say all the things we wanted to say. We were given the chance to nurture and protect her in the same way she cared for us every single day of our lives. In her heart, she knew we would love and celebrate her forever.

While impossible, she wouldn’t want anyone to suffer from her passing. Know that it’s our honor to begin planning the most beautiful and vibrant “Sassy Sue-style” party. We are tentatively planning for a Celebration of her life on August 26th at 5:00 PM at the Seattle Tennis Club; all her friends and family are welcome. You can bet on having a rusty nail and hearing all her favorite music. We look forward to sharing our favorite stories, hearing new ones, and having a Susan Richey love-fest that’s beyond her wildest dreams.