In Memory: Susan Fu

Susan Fu passed away in her sleep on Monday, November 4th, at her home at Dragonsmeade in Winchester, Kentucky. She had been battling cancer.

Susan was familiar in the Morgan world where her family bred and showed horses and contributed in many ways to the breed they love. It was especially meaningful to her that daughters Ling and Iann grew up with Morgan horses and Morgan people.

Few may have known her colorful beginnings. An only child—born Susan McKinley—and native of Southern California, her love of horses led her to the chance to ride at a hunter-jumper farm in La Jolla. She surfed and she drove race cars. She skipped class when Some Like It Hot was being filmed in San Diego because she wanted to see Marilyn Monroe. Her mother worked at Scripps Oceanography where Susie loved the opportunity of meeting Jacques Cousteau.

She graduated from high school as a 16-year-old going directly to the University of New Mexico where she met Yum Kee Fu in her freshman year. She married Kee and they were inseparable for the rest of their lives.

When the Fus lived in New Mexico Susan was on the board of the Albuquerque Zoo and would introduce herself as “Susie Fu from the zoo.” In addition to breeding Morgans, she served on the Grand National Committee for years and took part in organizing social events at the show.

Having bred dogs Susan placed serious significance on soundness. “Mother knew a quality and sound horse,” her daughters remember. “She could catch an unsound horse at 50 paces. That was very important to her.”

It was rare to see Susan without her husband in the picture. And all who knew her realized her life was greatly diminished when she lost Kee a little over a year ago.

The Morgans produced at Dragonsmeade remain a living legacy for Susan and her family. Her commitment to the diligent care and stewardship given to all animals fortunate to call her a friend—broodmares and foals, show horses, retirees, family dogs— may have been most meaningful to her. Those who knew her were enriched by her intense loyalty to friends and faithfulness to her values.

The Fu family has requested the following charities be considered for any donations made in honor of Susan Fu:
• The New Bolton Center Veterinarian Hospital, by contacting Margaret Leardi 484-653-7686 or mleardi@vet.upenn.edu. Please include a note designating the gift in honor of Susan Fu.

• The United Professional Horsemen’s Association Benevolent Fund, info@uphaonline.com or 859-231-5070.

Submitted by Stephen Kinney