Susan Richard

MADISON - Susan Grace Armstrong Richard, age 58, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Eleven years of remission allowed her to fulfill many of her dreams and raise two beautiful children into fine young adults.
Sue was born on May 28, 1957, in Madison to Lois (Johnson) Armstrong and Jerry James Armstrong. She graduated from Madison West High School in 1975 and received an associate degree in Commercial Art at Madison College. She was also a Bachelor of Fine Arts Candidate at UW Madison and UW Milwaukee.
Married to Christopher Richard in 1994, they had two children: son Dain (1994) and daughter Mackenzie (1997). Sue was a loving mother who was very involved in her children's lives.
Professionally, Sue worked as a freelance artist and graphic designer and agency art director in Madison for many years. Her personal pursuits were illustration, painting, sculpture and other forms of art with found objects. On every remote boat trip from the headlands of the Wisconsin River to the Apostle Islands, she (and family) would build a sculpture of driftwood, pier material, twine and other natural materials knowing that it would be gone after the next big storm or high water.
Artist, mother, wife, painter, sculptor, camper and paddler, tree hugger and dog lover, Sue loved all living creatures and was a feisty advocate for protecting all aspects of the Earth that nourish us. She was the founder and leader of, Velma Hamilton (Middle School) Earth Club, where she mentored students to raise environmental awareness and led the club to install solar panels on the school roof. Sue was also a member of 350.org Madison Climate Action group and volunteered her creative talents to their efforts.
Sue was a woman of courage and high principles, and she influenced many of us to follow her lead. She will be greatly missed by family and friends who loved her deeply and yearn for more time to share.
Sue is survived by her husband Chris, son Dain, daughter Mackenzie, mother Lois, sister Jeanne (Michael Jensen), and brothers Steven and James. She is further survived by her aunt Kay; uncles Tom (Elsie), George (Linda), and Paul; father-in-law Charles Richard; and many loving cousins and friends. Sue was preceded in death by her father Jerry; aunts Sally, Virginia, Cookie, and Betty; uncle Jack; and mother-in-law Jean Richard.
Visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road in Madison, on Monday, June 29, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a time for sharing memories of Sue at 6 p.m.
The family would like to thank the many local health care professionals who provided skillful care with personal compassion.
In lieu of flowers, Sue would welcome your continued support for local PINK efforts--the many people that walk, jog, run, swim, bike and more to raise funds and awareness of the devastating effects that cancer can have on individuals and families. Peace.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434
Please share your memories at
www.CressFuneralService.com