Susan Merit Refsnes-Calhoun left us suddenly on the afternoon of April 16, 2023, at home with her adoring husband by her side. She was born November 5, 1951, to Earlene Barnard and Joseph Louis Refsnes in Phoenix, AZ.
She attended Kenilworth School and West High where she was on the pom squad. Upon graduation she attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. Susie returned to finish her undergraduate degree at ASU where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Her love of fashion drew her to New York where she attended Parsons School of Design. Susie went on to work for Butterick Pattern Company before returning to Phoenix where she established a successful line of Southwest-inspired clothing.
She married and had her only daughter, Lyndal. Motherhood was her greatest passion and joy. Susie continued to make custom garments and accessories her entire life, inspiring a love of art and fashion in her daughter and granddaughter. In 2014, Susie married Bill, a lifelong friend from West High. Together they were enjoying life and being grandparents.
Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her husband Bill Calhoun, daughter Lyndal Anne Low (Cutter) Pleasant, step-daughters Elizabeth Valis and Christina Kersey, sister Lyndal (Eric) Johnstone, brother Joseph L. Refsnes, aunt Carolyn Kniazzeh-Refsnes, 2 precious grandchildren, 2 nieces, and several cousins.
A Graveside Service will be held at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 719 N. 27th Avenue in Phx., on Friday, April 28,2023 at 11AM. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Posey Nash
Suz,
I will always love and miss you.We had some amazing time fun .I no you are in heaven and perfect peace is yours..
Xx oo
Moore
Lynda Cullor
My thoughts are with you. Lyndal, she loved you with all her heart. I know she will be greatly missed and will watch over you all. Condolences and prayers to all.
Kathy Kramer
Sending loving thoughts during this loss. May Susie’s fond memories comfort you throughout the years to come. Love to all the Refsnes family all to all that love Susie. RIP
Martha McLeod Weiner
My heart is heavy with the news of Susie’s passing. We were dear friends in high school and continued our friendship through out the years. Five years ago, we enjoyed a wonderful adventure traveling the Bay Area. It was great fun to explore with Susie and I will cherish the memories!
I was always inspired by Susie’s sense of design and fashion. I will miss her dear heart and creative nature.
Sending love and blessing to family and friends, all who were touched by Susie’s spirit !!
Jane Holmes
Susie was such a bright spirit,
my sister knew her as a cheerleader at West High.
I learned about her clothing designs and really loved them. Purchasing some beautiful outfits , that I will never forget.
My condolences to her family , she was a bright spirit in the world.
Missy Brosnahan
Susie and I attended ASU together. We were KAT together. I was a freshman and Susie was a Junior. I did not have a car that year . Susie would often offer her Gremlin to me- it was considered the new “it” car then- boy were they wrong! I remember driving down Scottsdale road in her Gremlin. There was a huge hole in the floorboard- I could see the pavement rushing by. Susie was always cool, sweet and generous. She and her sister were always chic. I’ m sure her family will miss her kindness. Her keen eye inspired a lot of people. RIP