Susanna Genss Block

Susanna Block was a life force.  Born into a big Seattle family with four older brothers and eventually a younger sister, she always blazed her own trail.  A trail that took her into the Cascades, the Rockies, Boston, Boulder, Nepal, Mexico, Alaska, Africa, and much of the world. 

Susanna was a deeply devoted friend who, even with her famously stubborn streak, was always there for anyone needing help, support, love, or a good meal. Having lost her mother, Dorothy Wolens, at the age of five, Susanna adopted a strong self-reliance. While attending Colorado Rocky Mountain School---a boarding school in Carbondale she discovered a tribe of lifelong friends and a passion for exploring the west on long school camping trips. Susanna initially attended Emerson College in the heart of Boston---a disaster for a woman whose heart and soul were in the out-of-doors. She quickly transferred to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was back home.   

Susanna met her future and former husband, Perry Conway, during a summer working in an outdoor/nature program in Manhattan, Kansas.  Perry, aka The Bird Man, moved to Colorado with his many animals in tow (an eagle, owl, raccoons, prairie dogs, snakes, and Leroy the alligator.) After earning a degree in Anthropology, Susanna soon became a road warrior, traveling to art fairs throughout the country to sell Perry’s impressive nature and wildlife photographs.  She would pack everything into her small pickup and be gone for weeks at a time. After her children Matt and Dana were born, she brought them along on her adventures.

Later, Susanna spent a decade running a café in the Boulder Public Library, Espress-Oh!, where she became a local fixture. Susanna’s warm, outgoing nature made her everybody’s pal. She went on to open The Dairy, a bar/café in The Boulder Performing Arts Center, with her dear friend and longtime roommate Julia Wrapp. After several years, Susanna had had enough of the hard work of the food service business. She then did stints working for the Boulder County DA and in a mortgage office. 

Over 20 years ago, Susanna was diagnosed with breast cancer---something she found more of an inconvenience than a serious obstacle to living a full life. She continued to travel and explore---including an extended trek in Nepal and a later trip to Ecuador with Matt to join Dana, who had moved there for over a year to volunteer with a community outside of Quito. She developed a passion for fly fishing, which she continued throughout the rest of her life. Eventually, Susanna discovered what would become her favorite, magical place---Holbox Island, on the far northeast corner of Mexico.  On this picturesque little island, Sus became fast friends with the locals. She frequently returned, including an epic 60th birthday with her kids and siblings.  

Even after her cancer metastasized, Susanna carried on valiantly for over a decade with stage-four cancer.  She hated pink ribbons and survivor rhetoric---“I am not a survivor, I am a Warrior!” she’d proudly announce. Susanna moved from Boulder to Denver six years ago, in large part to be closer to her two kids.  Once she arrived in her new community of Five Points, Susanna created a neighborhood summer block party devoting tireless hours helping with food, music and organization to make it a huge success every summer.  Susanna’s annual Hanukkah party was another joyous tradition she took great pleasure in which included Dana and Matt’s closest friends.  She loved watching Dana’s remarkable hard work and success as she became a dental hygienist and entrepreneur---and Matt’s impressive sales chops in business with a focus on real estate.  Dana’s wedding to Dustin Schmitt three years ago was a magical moment and a true highlight of her life. 

In late 2018, on a trip to rural Baja, she met Shaman Saul.  Susanna embraced this special spiritual relationship, developing a profound connection with Saul. Saul sent her sage and incense that remained at her bedside throughout her final weeks.  Susanna was focused not only on living a full life but also having a great end of life.  Her wish was granted these final weeks thanks to the inspiring dedication and compassion of Matt and Dana and with a special shout-out to her remarkable hospice nurse Jennifer.  Susanna was in her home, surrounded by love and her dear alley cat Sox. If there was ever a beautiful death, Susanna experienced it when she passed away peacefully and painlessly Monday morning, June 15. 

Susanna is survived by her son Matthew Brooks Conway, her daughter, Dana Mara Conway (husband Dustin Richard Schmitt) and her siblings: Jonathan Wolens, Daniel Jackson, Kenan Samuel, Mary Judith, and step-siblings: Tamara April, Christina Lynn, Melinda Mary, and Newton Edward Moats.  She was preceded in death by her brother Adam Parker, her parents, Robert Jackson and Dorothy Wolens, and step-mother Mary Lou Moats.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a www.indifly.org: This remarkable nonprofit empowers indigenous communities to own and operate fly fishing ecotourism businesses.