Sharing valuable things with such valuable people is a feeling words can never encompass. The ocean knows — and the sky and mountains whisper the thoughts outside human reach. But it’s there, if we would only stop and listen noiselessly you the revelation in the waves. So many things are learned and experienced unexpectedly like transparency of water from the subset and how people really feel — what friendship is and the peaceful reward of giving. I love the world and everything that has created and been created by it. —Sue Yoast
Susan Lynn Yoast (née Zander) left this material plane suddenly but peacefully at her home in Albany, California on July 20, 2022. She was 70 years old. Sue was born November 10, 1951 in Fresno, California on her parents’ (Erv and Deanie Zander’s) sixth wedding anniversary. She grew up in the simpler Leave it to Beaver world of the 1950’s and early 60’s with her older brother, Michael, younger sister, Leslie, numerous cousins and extended family. Barbecues, family get- togethers, swimming all summer, vacations in the mountains and at the coast were highlights of those early years. She was a diligent and popular student at Ernie Pyle Elementary School, Fort Miller Jr. High and McLane High where she graduated in 1969.
The late 60’s were a time of social upheaval and transition, and Sue was not immune to their effects. She rebelled a little against the morés of her parents, ran away with a boyfriend on a motorcycle and moved to Santa Barbara to attend college at UCSB. There she met her first husband, Tom Eklof, and moved to Santa Cruz. Together they thrived, pursued their active interest in Transcendental Meditation, built a house, created careers (she had impeccable taste and went into business as a personal shopper) and lived the good life … until they didn’t. After the divorce, Sue moved back to Santa Barbara where she used her eye for style to advise clients, friends and relatives on exactly the right item for their wardrobe or personal image. Her considerable people skills and engaging personality secured many long-term friendships, landed her a job selling high end jewelry and set her up for a fateful encounter with a former policeman and local businessman named Ray Yoast. A single father of three grown (one still in high school) girls, Ray, at 6’4”, ruggedly handsome and rock solid, was a character out of central casting who stole Sue’s heart. They were married on May 17, 1986.
Sue became a loving stepmother to the three girls; she and Ray found a wonderful home with a view in Montecito and settled in. Ray ran his businesses (All Coast Truck and Tractor, All Coast Tires and Husbands for Hire) when he wasn’t playing volleyball on the beach. Sue designed jewelry and sold diamond necklaces and emerald earrings at the Biltmore while maintaining the household and eventually becoming pregnant. Their daughter, Summer Rae was born on July 6, 1993.
They led a life full of work, family, social activities and travel. But their life was upended when Ray died unexpectedly of a heart attack on January 22, 2001. With help from family, especially her stepdaughters, Sue soldiered on, tying up loose ends at Ray’s businesses, managing Husbands for Hire and raising her young daughter Summer. She eventually sold the Montecito house and moved to a lovely rental home in Carpinteria, where she was closer to a small town community with shops and restaurants and could more easily maintain her extensive social network. Summer joined her intermittently while attending UCSB and California State University, Fullerton. They lived in Carpinteria together until June of 2018 when Summer married Zachary Guillaume and moved to Colorado to pursue her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Sue was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disease scleroderma in 2008. In spite of its progressive effects on her body and quality of life, Sue’s attitude was upbeat and optimistic, she loved wholeheartedly, and lived passionately. She received treatment at the UCLA Medical Center, and chose to participate in numerous studies aimed at furthering knowledge of effects and treatments of the disease. Some of these treatments slowed progress of the disease and allowed her to lead a more or less normal life, always rich with friends and family. With Summer married and out of the house, Sue decided to leave Carpinteria in 2019 and move to Albany in the SF Bay area to be closer to family. She moved into a house around the block from her sister Leslie and had a job in a clothing store on the first day. She never fully adapted to the fog and cold of the Bay Area but kept her spunky attitude in spite of the often dreary weather, COVID lockdown, and the progress of her disease. Sue’s passion for life never diminished. After three years in northern California, she was on the verge of making the move to Summer and Zachary, and settling into the next chapter exploring Colorado. In the meantime, she and her sister were scheduled for a pedicure and she was making plans for a spa treatment and a follow up lunch with her brother on the day she died.
In the words of Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Sue made us all feel special and we miss her dearly. She is survived and deeply missed by her daughter Summer, step daughters Deirdre, Sienna, and Claudia, son-in-law Zachary, brother Michael, sister Leslie, sister-in-law Holly, niece and nephew Selene and Robin, niece-in-law Janet, grand-nephews Max and Sam, and countless extended family members and dear friends.
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About |
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| Name | Susan Yoast |
| Date of Birth | November 10th, 1951 |
| Date of Death | July 20th, 2022 |
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published a tribute .
I just came upon Sue's notice of passing. Growing up in the 60's we attended Trinity Lutheran Church together and were confirmed together in the Church. Such a beautiful lady and I am so sorry to hear of her passing.
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published a tribute .
From the moment that I received the very sad news of Sue's passing, I think of her fondly remembering all of the laughs we shared. We shared the stories of our lives and enjoyed each other's company. I wish that we had seen each other more frequently but when we did we always felt good! It is the best kind of friendship when you can start up chatting as if no time has passed since your last meeting. Sue was that kind of friend to me. I love you Sue and will always miss you - especially your smile and our laughter!!!
I was so sorry to miss her celebration of life and I bet it was wonderful!! We were traveling so I'm sure that Sue would understand.
XOXOXO Jill Nida
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published a tribute .
Sue was my longest friend. We were friends for nearly 59 years.
We connected at age 12 and got up to some junior high school hi-jinks for a couple of years. Later I persuaded her to join me at UCSB, where we lived together for 2 years. The first year, when we moved into a dorm, we declared our FREEDOM and embraced our independence as we began our early steps into adulthood. She was already a cook and baker then and filled our 2nd year apartment with the aromas of her frequent, delicious cookies and cakes.
School was never Sue’s thing, and she left UCSB to follow her love to Santa Cruz, where she married and lived for some years. It was when that marriage ended and she returned to Santa Barbara that we reconnected and stayed connected all of this time until now.
We shared her dating trials, which even involved some of the same men I had earlier dated in Santa Barbara before I met my husband Billy. And then she brought Ray Yoast into her life and my life. Along with him came his 3 daughters, and later their cherished daughter, Summer.
Sue loved her life with Ray, Summer and the girls. It was the happiest time in her life, up in their hillside home behind Summerland. By this time she was working in retail fine jewelry, frequently modeling the fancy jewelry as she worked. One year I asked her to be a live model of an elegant, jeweled necklace which was for sale at the Santa Barbara Wine Auction.
Then we lost Ray. Sue and Summer and his daughters lost Ray. It was a dark time for Sue. She struggled with making sense of life. But she gathered support and advice from all of us around her and eventually sold the hillside house and moved on. Even dated just a little bit.
When her health became a major issue, she approached it with an expectation to overcome the problems. She was somewhat in denial about the seriousness of her condition. But perhaps this was just her positive attitude pushing her along. That optimism was probably the dominant, most memorable feature of her personality.
It is surely her smile and laugh I remember first when I think of Sue. Along with her sweeping blond hair and her always gorgeous clothes and her perky step.
But most of all her generosity and loving spirit.
Will miss you always, Sue
Becky Barieau Wathen
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Sue was (and will always be!) the third of Los Tres Amigos--three parents as friends having adventures together. Our children married, and we spent so many happy times with Sue on road trips to see Zach and Summer. We visited national parks and wild places every time we could. Sue was always up for the adventure. Do we look like drowned rats in this photo? We were! We just survived a flash flood at Capitol Reef, and here we are at Goblin Valley State Park. Wish you could hear the thunder booming around us and the rain pounding on the roof. Sue, you will continue to be a part of every adventure we undertake. Thanks for the happy years as family members.
We love you. --Andi and Darrell
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published a tribute .
When i first met Sue back in 1985. One of my all time favorite vacations due to the beauty of the Grand Canyon and having met Sue and Ray. Love,
Paula
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published a tribute .
I met Sue and Ray on a white water rafting trip in the Grand Canyon many years ago. I knew right away they were a very special couple. Sue had a zest for life like no other. Although we lived on opposite coasts we remained friends. They welcomed me into their home a few times and drove to San Francisco to visit me when I was there for work. Ray bought the girls the puppets in the picture. Sue, you will be missed by so many. I feel honored to have known you.
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published a tribute .
I miss you Sue! We worked together for 10 years selling jewelry and more importantly being great friends. I had not seen you since you left Carpinteria 3 years ago, but we did talk from time to time and would laugh and cry about life’s ups and downs. I know you are smiling with Ray at your side.
Until we meet again sweet friend … love you❤️
Michele
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published a tribute .
Sue and I used to go to the spa together. She could soak in the hot bath for hours! I miss you, Sue.
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Besides being the most fashionable woman I know, she was also one of the best cooks. I loved attending her dinner parties! We were jogging buddies for many years until her diagnosis. Then we were shopping buddies. I will always remember her beautiful smile and child like enthusiasm for life. Sue had a lovely spirit. I miss you sweet friend.
published a comment .
A beautiful human and a happy, talented woman who made friends so easily. Anne Stewart and I called her the Mayor of Carp, because you couldn’t walk down the street there without her seeing someone she knew. Her positive attitude through her illness will always be an inspiration to me; I never heard her complain. My life is better because I knew you, Susan, you are already missed.
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We spent a lot of time in Carpinteria when Sue lived there. Those were the happiest days. She was always so patient with little Max, who was so spoiled by her cooking, baking, and Reddi-wip.
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