Susan Rae Ladley
May 24, 2017

Quincy native Susan R. (Lewis) Ladley, 65, died Wednesday, May 24, 2017, of natural causes at her home in South Lake Tahoe, CA, where she had lived for over 30 years. Susan was born June 19, 1951, in Blessing Hospital in Quincy, the daughter of Ralph A. Lewis, former WTAD radio announcer and Quincy High School English teacher, and Donna L. Lampe Lewis, a nurse who had worked at Good Samaritan Home, Blessing Hospital, and Dr. Alex McGinnis's office.

Susan showed interest and aptitude in music at an early age, starting with the piano, then cello and organ. She performed a senior piano recital as the student of Claire Lansing. As a cellist, she performed as first cellist in the Quincy High School orchestra, accompanied the Illinois State High School Orchestra on a summer concert tour of France, and performed with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, including performing as a featured soloist at the Young Artists concert. As an organist, Susan had played the organ for services at First Union Congregational Church, where she and her family were members. Susan also performed programs at the Quincy YWCA annually, set up by her grandmother Lilly Lampe. Throughout high school, Susan earned money to pay for her own music lessons by teaching private lessons to children on piano and cello. Susan graduated from Quincy High School in 1969 as the class Valedictorian. She subsequently completed 3 years at Illinois State University at Bloomington-Normal, majoring in music education. Her first marriage in 1972 took her to Carson City, Nevada, where she transferred to the University of Nevada at Reno, completing her degree in music education there.

Susan taught in the Washoe County, Nevada, public schools string music program for about 10 years and continued to teach private lessons on cello, piano, and organ. She performed professionally as a cellist with numerous musical organizations, including the Reno Philharmonic, the opera orchestra, and various bands accompanying well-known performers appearing in Reno and Lake Tahoe casinos. Among the performers Susan accompanied were Sammy Davis, Jr., Red Skelton, Captain and Tennille, George Burns, and many others. While performing in a show band, Susan met the love of her life, Carl E. Ladley, an outstanding trumpet player, whose credits include an appearance in The Godfather, Part II. Susan and Carl were married December 30, 1983, and moved to a home in South Lake Tahoe, just blocks from the lake. When the demand for show band musicians began to ebb, Carl and Susan bought a photography business in Carson City, named it Crown Photography, and developed it into an award winning photo studio that flourished for over 20 years.

Susan became afflicted with fibromyalgia in the late 1980's, which increasingly limited her daily activities throughout the rest of her life. She remained devoted to Carl until his death on May 13, 2015, rarely leaving his side. She loved cats, rescued several of them over the years and enjoyed a trio of pet cats at the time of her death. In addition to her talents in music and photography, Susan was a gifted poet who wrote verses for various occasions and for her beloved family members.

Susan's survivors include: 5 siblings, Robert A. (Debra) Lewis of Kentfield, CA, Debra L. (Stephen) Cane, Julia L. (Carl) Askew, and Steven R. Lewis, all of Quincy, and Lynette K. McAliney of Mountain Home, AR; 14 nieces and nephews: Ryan, Matthew and John Lewis of California, Christina Cane of Quincy, Michael Cane of Hawaii, Scott (Lara) Piner of St. Charles, IL, Amanda (Adam) Hennenfent of Springfield, IL, Andrea Piner, Carlie Askew, and Lilly and Jack Lewis, all of Quincy, and Jessica (Robert) Hogard, and John and Kevin McAliney, all of Mountain Home, AR; one great niece, Faith Piner, of St. Charles, IL, 2 great nephews, Connor Roland of Quincy and Reid Hennenfent of Springfield, IL; one aunt, Margery Vandament of Signal Hill, CA, and numerous cousins. Susan is also survived by 3 step children: Margaret (Don) Sanford, Brian Ladley, and Kelly (Dave) Gherardi, step granddaughter Michelle Blanton and step great-grandson Mitchell Blanton, all of the Bay Area in CA.

Susan was preceded in death by her husband and parents, a niece, Angela Piner, 3 aunts, Harriet Weber, Jeanette Kamper, and Janet Lewis, 4 uncles, John and Myron Lewis, Marvin Weber, and William Vandament, and a step son, Bard Ladley.

Services: 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Hetzler officiating.

Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois

Visitation: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Memorials made to the Lake Tahoe Humane Society or charity of the donor's choice in her name would be appreciated.

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

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