To avoid the possibility of experiencing a Trump America, Susan Pfannkuche peacefully passed away in her Port Orange home, July 11th. She was 73... Ms. Pfannkuche led a remarkable life. Born in Queens Village, NY, in 1943 to Lillian and William Pfannkuche, she graduated from Queens College in 1964, with honors in Anthropology and Sociology. In 1967 she received her Master's in Social Work, from Hunter College in NYC. Subsequently, she moved to Florida and pursued a degree in nursing. She worked for Bert Fish Medical Center, as a traveling nurse throughout our nation (one of her favorite stints was as a nurse in Yellowstone Park), and as an RN at Halifax Hospital's ER in Daytona Beach for more years than she could remember.

Along with Gloria Steinem and Betty Freidan, Ms. Pfannkuche was a founding member of NOW, (The National Organization of Women) and was in the forefront of the Women's Liberation movement of the early 1970's. She was the campaign manager and trusted advisor to legendary Congress Women, Bella Abzug and Shirley Chisholm. Ms. Pfannkuche was the first woman to lead a Presidential campaign, when Shirley Chisholm became the first female to run for President in 1972. On the campaign trail, Ms. Pfannkuche was known for her tough, "take no prisoners attitude", once telling President Nixon (and President Reagan, and subsequently President Bush (dad and son) and once to President Clinton), "There's a special place in Hell for you..." In fact, President Carter was the only President to which she did not harbor this sentiment.

After her stint in politics, Ms. Pfannkuche joined the Peace Corp (fact), serving from 1974 -1982*. She was instrumental in helping to purify drinking water in parts of the Congo, as well as helping to develop the largest self-sufficient coffee bean farm, in all of Africa. For that work alone, Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, awarded Ms., Pfannkuche the "Coffee Medal of Freedom" in 2002 and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry and Horticulture. In her later years Ms. Pfannkuche became an accomplished photographer, being nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Photo Journalism, during the dismantling of the Berlin Wall... In addition, she volunteered in hospices for AIDS patients, and was asked to serve as an advisor to President Bill Clinton and The Clinton Foundation; however, having become somewhat disillusioned with the family over the years, she declined the request, choosing instead to work directly with (legally) President Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio in their quest to minimize our carbon footprint and the impacts of global warming on this planet. She is currently being considered for sainthood by her good friend and bridge partner, Pope Francis (Vatican).

She is survived by her daughter Kassandra Esposito Blissett, her Grandson, Devon Blissett, her ex-husband, Hollywood Actor/Director, Danny DeVito, her multiple adopted/surrogate children and grandchildren: Julia Faith Harrelson, David Lindsey, Lili Gleason, Kelli Emmans, Cassondra Walker, Kira Walker, Lana Fernandez, Mia Fernandez, Erna Kristiani (Indonesia), her numerous beloved cousins (Flecks) and many loyal and loving friends she made and kept throughout the years.

Susan will most likely be remembered for the skillful manner in which she was able to quickly judge a person's character upon making first acquaintance and just as quickly voice her opinion of said character. In addition, when one thinks of Susan, he/she will fondly reflect upon her incredible (and not immediately obvious) compassion, empathy and generosity demonstrated by her career choices in social work, nursing and personal participation with charities near and dear to her heart. She would like to be considered a role model for dental hygiene habits too.

A memorial (AKA modified Irish Wake) will be held Monday, July 18, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Lohman's Funeral Home, 1425 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Per Susan's strict orders, the service will promptly begin at 1 p.m. and all must have a drink in hand for toasting purposes. This is expected to be a fun, festive reflection on the amazing life this woman lived as opposed to a maudlin hour of tears and regret.

In lieu of flowers (although she did want it known she liked yellow), Susan requested that all those with voting privileges still intact, NOT vote for Donald Trump. The charities she supported the most were Doctors Without Borders, Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare (CCFAW), and any elephant sanctuary. A donation of even $1 in her name, would make her smile. **modest embellishments credit: Sam Henry Kass, Santa Monica, California.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com