Susannah Lee Lunt

Susannah Lee Lunt, a resident of Wilson, Wyo., passed away in Salt Lake City on Dec. 8, 2015 following a short illness after surgery. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dr. John Lunt, only three weeks earlier.

Susannah (Susie) was born in May 1932 in New York City to Burton James Lee Jr and Rosamond Auchincloss Lee.

She was educated at Garrison Forrest boarding school, Bennett Junior College, and Columbia University nursing school. Susie grew up a debutante on Long Island but had a tomboy streak. She was an accomplished athlete, whether climbing and skiing in the Alps, competing in tennis and swimming, or riding in an English foxhunt.

Susie met the man she would marry, a medical student, while at Columbia. She and John Lunt had a passion for the outdoors, skiing, hiking, and shared a love of the West. After graduating, they married in 1955.

In 1957 John and Susie moved to Berlin with their infant twin sons, where John worked as an Army doctor. When they returned two years later, they moved to Denver where they bought a small farm. They had three more children and raised horses, cows, pigs, geese, chickens, dogs, and cats and began dreaming about owning a ranch someday. In the meantime, Susie nurtured her love of gardening, and was the ultimate hostess. Whether it was a giant Easter egg hunt for 30, dressing as the wicked witch at Halloween and frightening children, arranging huge Christmas parties or local rodeos for all ages, Susie was at home in many roles.

Summers were spent backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, where Susie was always the last hiker while she identified flora with her ever-present flower book.

Winters were spent skiing in the powder snow of Steamboat, Colo., where she and John had built a cabin. The family had countless memorable weekends and vacations in Steamboat, skiing, sledding, and hosting a stream of visitors. Susie and John took the family on adventures to Alaska, Baja, and the East Coast, among others, all perfectly planned by Susie.

After years of dreaming about a ranch, in 1977 they found one in Saratoga, Wyo.

They built the Highline Ranch from the ground up, and while John worked as the town doctor, Susie, along with a ranch manager, spent her days riding, herding cattle, driving tractors, tending to sick calves, creating stunning flower beds and a bountiful vegetable garden, and feeding anyone who entered her kitchen, hungry or not. She was known for making enough food to feed an army.

Susie had tireless energy, and in the little free time she had she loved to garden, read, write letters, and knit. She was a prolific and talented knitter, and with new grandchildren coming along regularly, she never lacked for a project. Susie's mantra was "It is better to wear out than to rust away", and she lived up to the motto. Finally, after 35 years of ranch life, she and John moved to Wilson.

Susie was known for her sense of humor, her loud exclamations (Lord love a duck! Good gussy! Heavens to Murgatroyd! Godfrey Loomis!), her outspoken nature, her generosity, and her love of life and laughter. She was always the life of the party. We can honor Susie by walking into a garden and appreciating the flowers, picking a raspberry or two, by writing a letter to a friend, by going to a party and toasting friends, family, and love.

Susannah Lee Lunt was preceded in death by her parents and her devoted husband and life partner, John.

She is survived by her brothers Burton James Lee III, Jared Lee, Timothy Lee, sisters Rosamond DuPont, Mary Jo Balkind, Cecilia DeWolf, Marion Lee, son Alex (Sandy), John (Nancy), Sam (Deb), Bill (Mae Ling), daughter Susie (Larry), and many loving grandchildren.

Donations in Susie's honor may be sent to Heifer International (heifer.org). A memorial for Susie and her husband, John, will be held in Saratoga, Wyo., in June. Her ashes, along with John's, will be spread on the Highline Ranch by their family.