Mary Susan Dalton

Mary Susan Dalton, 66Mary Susan Dalton, 66, of Apache Junction, passed away Nov. 12, 2007.She was born July 29, 1941 in Welch, W.Va. to Dr. Charles and Winifred Chapman. She graduated from Welch High School in 1959, Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and Vanderbuilt University in Nashville, Tenn. She is survived by her daughters, Emily Ann (John) Pike of Lexington, Ken.; Jennifer Lynn (Brett) Shepherd of Mesa, Ariz.; grandchildren, John Robert Pike IV; Elizabeth Ann Pike, Amber May Shepherd, Summer Grace Shepherd; siblings, Alice (Norman) Rubash of Evanston, Ill.; Dorothy (Patrick) Sullivan of Greeley, Colo.; Marshall (Mary) Chapman of Pine Valley, Calif.Ms. Dalton worked at King's Daughters Hospital in Ashland, Ky. and Banner Desert Hospital (1989-2004) as an oncology nurse. She was a member of the Apache Junction Rock and Gem Club. She was also a member of the Church of the Master, where she sang in the choir, assisted with nursing home services, helped with Vacation Bible School and participated in and led Bible study groups.She greatly enjoyed classical guitar, played the banjo and composed music. She used music therapy in her work as a nurse and in entertaining in nursing homes. She was awarded a Nurseweek Nursing Excellence Award in 2001 for her use of humor and music in the workplace.She loved her grandchildren and shared with them her love of nature, books, rocks and astronomy. Her other interests included photography, early Arizona history and mining, poetry, knitting and travel.She will always be remembered for her sense of humor, intelligence, kindness and love of life.Her family would like to thank her neighbors for their generosity and help. Bob, Terra, Madeline, Claryn and Nathan Leigh, Rodney and Tanya, Steve and Buffy were not just neighbors but family and friends.