- Date Of Birth: May 31, 1946
- Date Of Death: February 25, 2017
- State: New Mexico
It is with overwhelming sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, Susan, due to complications from a series of strokes. Susan Jan Benheimer was born May 31, 1946 in Deming to Charles and Fran Benheimer.
She and her sisters attended Smith School, Deming Junior High, and Deming High School. During these early years, Susan formed many close relationships with her classmates. These friendships lasted her entire life. After graduation, Susan attended Arizona State University for a year. She returned to Deming and became an aid in the Child Find program. She married Tom Pearson also from Deming. During their marriage, they had four children. After the end of her marriage, she moved to Las Cruces where she sold cars and then became a bookkeeper for several companies. She was very involved in her children’s extra-curricular activities, especially softball, and basketball. As her oldest child neared college age she decided to attend as well. She gained several degrees from NMSU and fostered a love of learning that she kept until her death. After this time, she applied for her accounting degree and worked for Salopek Farms until she retired. Susan loved reading and collected a huge book inventory that she was very proud of. She also loved to strategize while playing pool. She played for many years and gained many friendships with other players. Susan ran several pool leagues over the years and attended the BCA National championships in Las Vegas for many years. She was very involved in organizing Deming High School class reunions for the classes of the 1960s. She loved staying in touch with classmates and enjoyed breakfast meetings until her sickness. Above all, Susan loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She traveled to Texas and California for many years to visit Amy, Parker, and her Texas grandkids. She also attended many events with Leah, Ira, and her NM grandchildren. During the time after her strokes, she received excellent care from the staff at MMC CCU and Advanced Care Hospital. Ira and Leah visited daily and pushed her to overcome this great obstacle. Amy and Parker were able to visit her during this time and give her pep talks, as well as her dearest friends, Ruthie, Sallie, Kathy, and her granddaughters.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Ketchum. She is survived by her children, Amy (Dené) of Palm Springs, Leah (Randy) of Las Cruces, Parker (Staci) of Wylie, TX, and Ira of Las Cruces. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Evan, Randa, Loman, Teige, and Cannon as well as her sisters, Melissa (Mark) and Barbara (Gary), nieces, Keeley, Amanda, and Tenniel, and their children, Weston, Levi, Tristan, Wynn, and Beckam.
Susan had many friends and co-workers who we hope will carry on her legacy of pool playing and reading.
