Susan Lynn Rubin, beloved sister, fiber artist, paralegal, stage manager and treasured friend to many, died after a short illness at Swedish Medical Center, First Hill Campus, on Monday, December 12th, 2022 in Seattle, WA. She was 61.

Susan was the youngest of three daughters, all born in Hinsdale, Illinois to their parents, Constance Louise (Harvey) Rubin and Duane Roger Rubin. Susan was preceded in death by her father and eldest sister, Sandra (Rubin) Fetke. Susan is survived by her mother and sister, Debra Louise (Rubin) Caldwell (Dale), and nieces and nephews, Lindsay Wagner, Janine (Fetke) Konomi, Jody Fetke and Matthew Fetke.

Susan spent her formative years in Hinsdale, spending treasured years with her grandparents, mother and sisters after her parents’ divorce. Susan graduated from Central Hinsdale High School and entered the University of Oregon (Eugene) in the fall of 1980.

At the U of O, Susan pledged the Nu chapter of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and made many lifelong friends, among them, sorority sisters, Belinda Moses, Linda Isenson and Linda Holloway. Susan spent her junior year in German studies at the University of Illinois (Urbana) and returned to Eugene, evermore the Duck fan, to complete a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Oregon’s prestigious school of journalism.

After college, Susan explored her interests in film and the stage. She traveled, knitted, and expanded her eclectic circle of friends.

Susan, a founding board member of AHA! Theatre in Seattle, also served as dramaturg (writer or adapter of plays) and stage manager for multiple productions at AHA! and The Empty Stage in Seattle. Ireland, Italy and Croatia were among Susan’s favorite travel destinations. Susan became a devoted black cat parent to kitties, Maggie (deceased Nov 2022) and Molly. Family and friends are grateful to Chelsea Apartments, Susan’s home for many years, for finding a second home for 14 year old Molly with their maintenance man. Susan earned her livelihood as a paralegal, staying with the same firm through a series of mergers. Most recently, Susan worked as a senior litigation paralegal for Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP in Seattle.

Susan had appetites for great food, beautiful music, indie films, and sheep dog trials, and deep consciousness for social justice, but Susan may be most fondly remembered for her brilliant wit, her ability to collect and nurture remarkable friendships, her passion for the arts, and her extraordinary knitting and spinning talents. Susan never missed the Tour de Fleece, a chance to spin her way through the televised Tour de France every summer. She loved going to Vashon Island Sheep Dog trials and looked forward to attending the Annual Madrona Fiber Arts Festival where she converged with other fiber artists. If you had a new baby in your life, Susan often gifted them a cabled, keepsake blanket, sweater or hat. Susan, a self described shawl and sock making addict, spun an enormous collection of memorable skeins inspired by her experiences. Much of Susan’s work is visible on instagram.

At the end of her life, Susan was grateful for bedside support, calls, recordings and visits from all the communities of people she loved (too many names to list). Susan asked that she be cremated with a bouquet of flowers representative of places that she lived, that her ashes be spread at sea and that her life be celebrated with a cocktail party. For updates on date(s) and location(s), please contact [email protected].

In lieu of other remembrances, Susan’s family requests that donations be made in Susan’s name to Heifer International, allowing donation of an animal to support the lives of families in need. For more information, please contact Susan’s family at [email protected].