Susan Bennett (1945-2024) Susan Bennett—a beloved mother, sister, “MaMoo” (grandma), and friend—passed away on August 10th, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Born on May 25th, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, Susan was known for her brilliant mind, creative spirit, and unwavering love for her family and her menagerie of animals. Susan graduated as valedictorian from Rocky River High School and pursued English Literature at Cornell University. She had a passion for poetry and was the youngest woman elected to the Ohio Poets Society. In her younger years, she ski bummed in Colorado, hitchhiked through Mexico, and immersed herself in Cleveland’s theatrical world. Susan tried to settle down with her young husband, Jim Bennett, after a beautiful wedding at the Cleveland Yacht Club. However, after they went their separate ways, she returned to Cornell University, where she had her daughter, McCall. Susan moved back to Cleveland and held various PR director roles for organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America, the Rapid Transit Association (RTA), the Arthritis Foundation, and the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation. She also started an advertising company with her best friend, Ruth Fazio, and even began to pursue a degree in social work, preparing to become a social worker. In the late 1980s, Susan met Bob Boltuch, and they began building their dream properties, including a beautiful retreat in Montrose, Colorado, near Telluride, and a place in Longboat Key, Florida. Eventually, they settled back in Ohio, more specifically Gates Mills, where they began to build Critter Ridge Farm, which became home to a menagerie of animals including goats, peacocks, ducks, and sheep. The emblem of the farm, a pig with wings, symbolized her whimsical and loving nature. In 2019, after recovering from a traumatic brain injury following a fall at Critter Ridge, Susan moved into a four-plex apartment in LA, to be closer to her family when COVID-19 hit. Because she lived just downstairs from her daughter McCall, son-in-law Kyle, and grandchildren Harper Jo and Marley, they were able to share many cherished moments together, from art projects to board game battles, cultural outings and local performances, to regular family movie and takeout nights. Despite her struggles with sobriety, she remained a vibrant and loving presence in the lives of those who knew her. Susan is survived by her daughter McCall, son-in-law Kyle, grandchildren Harper Jo and Marley, brothers John, Jeff, and Scott, and her estranged spouse Bob Boltuch. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held over the Christmas holidays at her brother Jeff’s place in Port Townsend, WA, as well as on Zoom - for her many friends and family who can’t make it in person. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family’s GoFundMe account to support memorial efforts: https://gofund.me/393b5634