Susan Struggles Wallace was born to Thomas and Hazel Kriss Struggles in Cleveland, Ohio on February 7, 1934. She lived a full and varied life with a love of the arts, science, animals and especially her family. Sue died of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 8, 2024.
Sue was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father died when she was 6 years old and her mother was a school teacher so the family, including younger sister Nancy, learned to get by on very little. Her favorite childhood memories were of playing on a family farm and spending time with her beloved Aunt Pat. She was also very devoted to her mother, and was an outstanding student, graduating from Shaw High School with honors. Sue went on to attend Oberlin College (where she met her first husband Hans Rilling) then Tufts University where she completed her bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in invertebrate physiology. For her thesis, she studied praying mantis behavior and, working with her academic advisor, made surprising discoveries about this fascinating insect.
Although she was interested in becoming a doctor, having a family became Sue's priority. Her early years in Salt Lake City were spent raising her daughters Kim, Ann and Lynn. Aside from being a loving mother, she was an avid horse woman who rode, drove and showed American Saddlebred horses. She was also an accomplished amateur violinist. She enjoyed playing in chamber groups and with the Westminster Community Orchestra, and also taught violin to high school age students. Gardening and, later in life, travel were also hobbies.
After she and her first husband divorced, Sue went back to school, earning with top honors, a bachelor’s degree and a graduate certificate in gerontology from the University of Utah College of Nursing. Post graduation she initially taught a correspondence course in human physiology at the U of U. When an opportunity to work as an ombudsman for the Department of Health arose, Sue took it and spent several years visiting and assessing care facilities for the elderly and advocating for the geriatric community.
Sue and M. Walker Wallace met while both were musicians with the Westminster Community Orchestra. They married in 1981 and Sue welcomed Walker's children, Matthew and Annie Wallace, into her life. The family eventually grew to include grandchildren: Caroline and Marshall Wallace, Christopher and Charlie Maulding, and Lucas Ritschel.
Family was just part of what was fundamental to Sue and Walker. They enjoyed an ambitious social calendar and attended performances by local arts groups with devoted regularity. Leading by example, they contributed in various ways to many nonprofit organizations that represent the environment, politics, sciences and, of course, the arts. Together they wanted to make the world a better and more beautiful place.
Sue’s volunteer work included: health and community development at the University of Utah, the Utah Public Health Association, Board of Directors member with the Utah Alzheimer’s Association, Board of Directors member with the American Cancer Society’s Utah Division, Board of Trustees member with The Neighborhood House (where she assisted with establishing the first senior day care center in the area), The Children’s Center and the Salt Lake Chamber Music Society.
Sue is preceded in death by her husband Walker and her sister Nancy Caler. She leaves behind children: Kim Ritschel (Robert), Ann Rilling, Lynn Rilling (Jeffrey Newman), Matthew Wallace (Christi Paulson) and Annie Wallace Maulding (Brad); as well as grandchildren: Caroline Wallace (Shay Myers), Marshall Wallace (Elizabeth Boley), Charlie Maulding, Christopher Maulding,
and Lucas Rilling Ritschel; and great grandchildren:Lillian and Rosemary Boley-Wallace.
In honor of her final wishes, Sue’s ashes will be spread in a private ceremony. The family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that you make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Humane Society of Utah in lieu of flowers.
