Susan Alice Cliff

Susan Alice Cliff, the love of my life for 28 years, and my bride for the last 21 years, passed away Feb. 17, 2021.

We met in Manhattan Beach, Calif., at the Spectrum Club Gym, in 1992. Back then, ladies' gym apparel often included suggestive outfits ... but that wasn't Susan. Baggy running shorts, sweatshirt and a ballcap were her jam. Come the Fall of 1993, Susan and her girlfriend, Marianne, invited me to an "orphans” Thanksgiving dinner for friends not headed home for family occasions. That baggy shorts, ballcap gal met me at the door (WHOA) all dressed up; she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. We were a couple from that day forward.

Susan was a daughter, a mother, a sister, a marathoner, a Master's swimmer, but more importantly, she was someone who everyone gravitated to. Simply put, everyone loved Susan. She was generous to a fault, always caring about the feelings of others before her own. She was an amazing human, as all who knew her would agree. I will love her forever.

Before I close this preamble, I want to thank the Hospice aides, Nurse Joanie, and the Hospice House staff for their selfless caring. They are angels beyond measure.

Susan was born on Sept. 25, 1957, in Miami, Okla. She was the daughter of Virgilee “Bo” and Barbara Bolinger. Bo Bolinger may be the kindest, most humble man I have ever met. Bo was a unanimous, first team All American football player at the University of Oklahoma. He captained Oklahoma's 1955 national championship team and was eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. As a result, Susan began the journey of a football coach's daughter.

The family moved from Tulsa to Denver and then on to coach the Calgary Stampeders in Alberta, Canada. Then to Logan, Utah (Utah State), Albuquerque, N.M. (New Mexico State) and finally, Tempe, Ariz., where Bo was head scout for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. Susan's crazy journey with Bo and mother, Barbara, taught her how to make and keep friends. She was a master at keeping "current" with friends. It's a lesson I will never forget.

Susan attended Arizona State University and later graduated with honors from California State University Long Beach. Susan was an avid runner, having completed the Long Beach and Los Angeles Marathons and a half dozen Coeur d'Alene half marathons. She was an active member of the Kroc Masters swim team and a daily member of Coeur d'Alene CrossFit.

Susan is survived by her husband, Robert; son, Brey Brandon Barker and Brey's wife, Lindsey, of Denver, Colo. Other survivors include sisters, Sharon Hill, of Cisne, Ill.;, Sandy Gionet of Tempe, Ariz. and mother, Barbara, of Cisne. Nieces and nephews include Jeremy Brunk of Tempe, Sarah Moore of Tyler, Texas, and Emily Wright of Chicago. Susan is preceded in death by her beloved father, Bo. Go Sooners!

A celebration of life for Susan will be held at noon on May 1, 2021, at Tony's Restaurant. All friends are welcome.