Susan Blank died peacefully at Whidbey General Hospital on Sept. 28.

A gift was given to the world when she was born Susan Louise Johnson in LaCrosse, Wis., in 1942. From that moment on her creativity and independence inspired all who were acquainted with her. In 1961 she married James Blank, and they had four children by 1970. Susan was amazingly gifted as a mother and continuously put her children before her own basic needs.

Inspired by having earned her college degree in 1979, she moved to Spanaway with her children where she taught art at Spanaway Junior High until she retired in 2004. A passionate artist herself, Susan loved to teach art and believed all can learn to see beauty and sense creativity.

In 1984 she fell in love with and married Paul Menzel, philosopher at Pacific Lutheran University. Susan found true happiness with Paul whether they were at home cooking, traveling the world, or relaxing at their new retirement home near Coupeville. She was very active in the Whidbey Island branch of the American Association of University Women, particularly in organizing arts events to raise student scholarship funds.

Since 2001 Susan had battled a very rare form of tracheal cancer. Despite the grim fate of her disease, Susan never stopped living, loving and sharing. She fawned over her five grandchildren and continually thrilled and inspired them with her creative games, projects, and baked goods. She greatly influenced the aesthetic design of her new home and graced it with her art, including glass tile mosaics.

She is survived by husband Paul Menzel; daughters Tam Blank of Seattle and Heidi Welch of Charlotte NC (with Joe Welch, and Benjamin); sons David (with Sidney, and Samuel and Kendall) and Matt (with Ivana, and Logan and Lauren) of Seattle; and in Port Angeles by mother Geraline Johnson and sister Carol Knebes (with William).

The family requests no flowers, please. An annual scholarship for a graduating high school senior art student is being established in Susan’s name by the Whidbey Island branch of AAUW. Make donations out to “AAUW Whidbey Island” (indicating “for the Susan Blank Scholarship”) and send to AAUW Whidbey Island, P.O. Box 1332, Coupeville, WA 98239. Family, friends, and neighbors will gather for a memorial at Susan’s and Paul’s home on Oct. 20.