Sue, a longtime resident of McKinleyville, went to be with Jesus on Sept. 24, 2023, after struggling with chronic lung issues. Sue was born on New Year’s Eve, 1961 in Eureka to Arthur and Patricia Lundquist. Sue’s lifelong love of horses begin as a toddler, with riding the ponies at McKinleyville Shopping Center, pleading for her grandpa to pay for one more turn on the pony as it went round it’s chained path. This love of horses transferred over to all animals, with a special place in her heart for cats. Over the years, she took in many strays and wounded cats, nursing them back to health. She leaves behind her kitties — Skittles, Knuckles and Negan — who all have found good homes.

Sue was always spunky. Growing up, Sue was found tagging along with her older siblings, going horseback riding, playing down at the creek or making mud pies at the grandparents’ house in Redwood Creek Valley. Attending schools in Eureka, Sue graduated from Eureka Senior High School in 1980.

Sue’s kind and generous spirit was evident by her years of work as a home care worker. She went above and beyond for those she served. Her hobbies included her loving her fur babies, gardening, carpentry, bead work, crafting and agate hunting.

After several years together, in 2014, she became the devoted wife of Todd Johnston. Sue became Mom to Eric (Jenny), Christopher (Shalico) and Matthew (Heather) and daughter to Pat and Joe Leo. She is survived by brothers Tim DeFazio (Jeanette), Chris DeFazio (Judy); sister Laura Del Ragno; beloved nieces and nephews Scott DeFazio (Heather), Christen DeFazio–Jones (Ed), Evan DeFazio, Justin Dukes (Stephany) and Brooke; brother-in-law Patrick Johnston (Lauren); sister-in-law, Shellie Taylor (Darin); more loved nieces and nephews: Joshua, Savannah, Alexander, Kasidy, Makenzie, and Jeremiah; grandchildren-Caleb, Kadence, Mariah, Lashyla, Jayden, and Braden. Sue is also survived by Aunt Lillian (Pod) Patterson and uncles George and Eric Lundquist (Kimmarie), and numerous cousins and their families.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Todd Johnston; brother-in-law, Joel Johnston; mother, Pat Evans; father, Arthur Lundquist; grandmother, Frieda Eklund; grandfather, Ralph Lundquist; grandparents Joseph and Lillian Evans; aunts and uncles Pete and Doris Evans; Robert and Margaret (Peggy) Dudley; cousin Larry Dudley; and loving partner of many years, Art Philbrook.

Sue will be missed by all who knew and loved her. All Sue’s family and friends are invited to her celebration of life on November 4, 2023, at 11am at Ocean View Cemetery, Eureka, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sue’s name to the Sequoia Humane Society. Online at sequoiahumane.org or at 6073 Loma Ave., Eureka, CA 95503.

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