Susan Buchanan

Susan Buchanan passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on November 2, 2008 at Cottage Hospital after a prolonged illness. She was 72 years old. Susan was born January 25, 1936 as Susan Arlene Klaas and grew up in Burbank and then Chatsworth, California.

She loved to ride horses on her family’s ranch in Chatsworth amidst the orange groves that used to populate that area. She later lived in Newport Beach, California where she raised her three children, David Brian (47), Kathleen Ann (46) and Stephanie Lynn (44). She was a devoted mother who lived for and loved her children immensely.

With her kids grown and gone, she married for a third time to Lee K. Buchanan, MD and worked by his side in his medical practice in San Mateo, California until their retirement in 1990. Lee and Susan moved to Red Lodge, Montana where she learned how to cross country ski and fly fish.

After Lee passed away, Susan moved back to California to be closer to her children and grandchildren and settled in Carpinteria. She spent the last 8 years of her life enjoying the beauty of California, the love of her dog Oliver, and the activities of her grandchildren as she watched them grow up.

We will miss her sparkling eyes, her infectious laughter and her enthusiasm for all things fun and fanciful. Susan is survived by her children David Johns (Jeanie), Kathleen Johns Zisser (Howard), and Stephanie Johns; grandchildren Mackenzie Rae Zisser, Noah Grayson Zisser, Skylar David Payovich, and Riley David Johns; cousin Anne Marie of Yukaipa, Ca, and brothers Michael D. Klaas of Sedona, Az and Gregory Klaas of Santa Rosa, Ca.