Susan D. LaRose, 73, died on Nov 22nd at the William Childs Hospice House after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was born November 30, 1941 in Dallas, Texas to parents John K. and Bess Meyer Dunning.

She grew up in Virginia Beach and graduated from Old Dominion College in 1963. She married her college sweetheart Howard, and then taught English at Hampton High School before the children were born. After that she was involved in various kinds of volunteer work, including teaching mothers of Headstart children, team teaching empowering classes for women at a community college, team teaching parenting classes, and being a Girl Scout leader for 12 years. She was a substitute teacher for many years at Farragut High School in Knoxville, TN. In later years, she and Howard traveled extensively in their Airstream, and Susan was an AARP federal income tax preparation volunteer. She was an avid gardener, she loved kayaking and walking in Turkey Creek Sanctuary, and her favorite saying was "be kind to each other."

Susan was president of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Committee, Inc., a member of the The Sierra Club, The National Organization of Women, Spring Creek Gals, a charter member of the Beachside Democratic Club, and a performing member in two comedy groups, the Downstagers and the Pretenders. She will be remembered in Palm Bay for the establishment of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Committee Endowment Fund. At the TN Airstream Park, her legacy is the nine hiking trails as well as various major park improvements.

Survived by loving husband of 52 years, Howard LaRose; daughter Sherri (Jon) Chiglo; and son Brian (Ginger); sisters Nancy Craft, and Janet Benz (Bob); grandchildren Ethan, Kate, Cameron, Gray, and Gabriella, dear sister-in-law Gail LaRose, cousins Dave and Pam Barrows, and wonderful Airstream friends.

Memorials can be sent to Turkey Creek Sanctuary Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 060175, Palm Bay, FL 32906-0175.

A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Friday December 11th at The Davis-Seawinds Mortuary, 560 Montreal Ave, Melbourne, FL 32935.