9/11/1941 – 8/17/2023
A beautiful light has gone out. Susan Ariel (Wells) Jemtrud passed away at the age of 81, on Aug. 17, 2023, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Eldon, her sister Sharon English, her niece Heather Monta (Jared), two nephews Thomas English (Noelle) and Alex Apons (Heather). In addition to one grandnephew, Etienne Apons and three grandnieces, Esme English, Elle Apons, and Madison English. Several cousins, along with nieces and nephews on her husband’s side, and dear friend Judith Zaeske and many loving friends! Born in San Francisco to Julian and Lucile wells. Her father was the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, and her mother worked for the UCSF Chancellor. When Sue was seven years old, her father passed away. Eventually, her family moved to Santa Rosa to be near her grandmother Hazel Dahlquist. After finishing high school at Santa Rosa high, she graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology. She moved to the city to work at UCSF. After several years in research at UCSE One of the researchers from Denmark, invited her and a colleague to set up a lab in Copenhagen where they worked for three years. She traveled to many places in Europe while based in Denmark. Upon returning to San Francisco, she went back to Cancer Research at UCSF at the same time. She attended SF State to get her Teaching Credentials only to discover her heart was in Medical Research. When her project moved to US Davis, she moved with it where she worked tirelessly on several meaningful projects. Eventually having to retire well before she wanted to. In 2003, she and her husband moved from San Francisco to Auburn, where they built a lovely home, where Sue would ultimately live until her passing. Sue delighted in Travel, Music (especially opera), Theater, and Books. Disneyland was a favorite place to visit with her sister & niece. Sue became interested in crafts, which she excelled in. Perfection was her thing! Anyone who received anything she created knew she had put her heart into it!! We will always treasure her creations. Sue can be remembered for her blazing smile, laugh, and her joy of life. We all miss her so!