In Loving Memory of Susie Yancey Papé

Our hearts are full of tender gratitude as we remember our dear co-founder, Susie Yancey Papé. To know Susie was to feel the warmth of her spirit and the depth of her dedication to the Rural Oregon Community Foundation. More than a leader, she was the very soul of our mission to preserve the Western way of life - a legacy that lives on in the quiet strength of the communities she so dearly loved.

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Susie’s love for the land and its people was expressed in every gesture. It was her nurturing heart that saw the dreams of young people in Central and Eastern Oregon and moved us to double our support for those pursuing a life in agriculture. Her vision of community comes to life in the Cowboy Music and Poetry initiative in Prineville - a place she called home and a culture she championed with authentic hospitality. And through the Boots & Roots program, her care reaches our youngest members of Crook County, teaching them to cherish the heritage she held so close.

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To our board, Susie was a guiding light who challenged us to think bigger and reach further. We find ourselves missing her beautiful smile and the gentle, incisive questions that always brought us back to what truly mattered. She had a rare gift for making everyone feel like family, often sharing stories of her beloved sons and grandchildren with a pride that reminded us all that family was her keystone.

 

We thank you, Susie, for your leadership, your passion, and above all, your friendship. You can rest easy now, knowing that the lives you touched and the rural way of life you protected will flourish for generations to come. Your light continues to shine in all of us.