Sue Ann Divich

Sue Divich was a beacon of light – love and happiness in the lives of those she touched. Born in Connersville Indiana, she passed peacefully at home on Christmas eve with Chris and Debby at her side. Her father was a former Army Air Corps pilot who later became the senior pilot for TWA airlines. They were stationed In Kansas City where Sue spent her formative years attending school at Shawnee Mission, then on to Kansas University. There she met the love of her life Chris Divich a young South Dakotan attending KU on a basketball scholarship. A love that would last 70 years. After graduation Sue became a TWA stewardess for several months. Following a short honeymoon, they entered the Air Force where Chris attended pilot training.

During their 32-year Air Force career they were stationed at Lackland AFB, TX, Marana AB, AZ, Reese AFB, TX, (where Debby was born), Schilling AFB, KS, Dow AFB, ME, Maxwell AFB, AL, Sumpter AFB, SC, Andrews AFB, DC, Laughlin AFB, TX and Randolph AFB, TX. During Chris’ assignment to South East Asia, Sue and Debby spent the year in Kansas. Many moves, but a wonderful life.

Sue really got involved with volunteer work while living in Maryland. She became involved with rescuing any God’s creatures that needed help. Debby got their first horse and Sue became addicted. They purchased more horses and spent hours riding as a family. Debby became a champion rider and won numerous events. Moving back to Texas included transporting three horses, three dogs and two cats, creating some interesting stories.

Sue was a rare woman who possessed a compassionate heart. She held a deep and abiding love of and respect for animals in all settings and situations and she was a loyal friend to The Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia. Her first visit was met at the gate by a resident goose who insisted on tugging at her shoestring until he managed to untie it sending Sue tumbling down to the hard ground. Many may have taken offense but Sue was delighted by the encounter and became life-long friends to all their animals. Because Sue and Chris used their land as a release site, Sue’s caring heart delighted in returning once injured animals to the wild. One of her favorite releases was when she set free some possums, squirrels and one red tailed hawk. As they made their way from the confines of the carriers, the mammals scampered high into the treetops out of view but the hawk took his time and after a few short bursts of flight, soared gracefully into the endless blue of the waiting sky as Sue’s caring heart took flight with him. She was a strong supporter of several rescues, over the years adopting stray dogs and cats, as well as Greyhounds, Dobermans, and Australian Shepherds. Her kindness to animals made countless lives better, showed others how to be better human beings and helped many animals enjoy their lives as nature intended.

Sue had many dear friends during her 90 wonderful years. That number increased dramatically when she and Chris moved to the Army Residence Community, “ARC”. An award-winning painter who had a passion for all art, music, and European history she was an avid reader of British mysteries. Her paintings were constantly on display and in demand throughout the ARC. She often said she had never seen so many wonderful, loving, happy people as those who live here.

One could summarize the life of Sue with these words from PJ Karst, Chris’ Chief of Protocol when he was Commander of the AF Military Training Center. PJ said “every thought of Sue is full of smiles, graciousness, warmth, beauty, and love. She was a very special woman full of spirit and a heart bigger than Texas. You know this, I know this, and everyone who crossed her path knows this. But, the truly special beings who know this are all the animals she raised, saved, placed, or lost. All of us will miss Sue---always”

Sue was preceded in death by her parents Chester and Winneford Miller, and her brother Jerry. She is survived by her husband retired Air Force Major General Chris Divich, and daughter Deborah a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. Both of San Antonio, Texas.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 am, on January 24th at the Chapel in the Army Residence Center, 7400 Crestway Road, San Antonio, TX 78239. At Sue’s request, her ashes will be spread over the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in South Dakota at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Sue’s name to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, PO Box 369, Kendalia, TX 78027, or Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary (IRAM), PO Box 998, Hot Springs, SD 57747.