Susan Ayles

Longtime Corrales resident Susan Ayles died on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. Born Susan Holter in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on December 29, 1941. She and her husband Raymond were married July 18, 1964. They moved to Corrales in 1979 from Fairfield, Connecticut and lived in the Skyview Acres area (between Intel and Cibola High School).  Susan became a Green Bay Packers fan in the early 1990’s. It reminded her of her youth and siblings, Jimmy & Carol.

Susan worked at Mountain Bell (later Qwest) as a telephone operator; if you called 411 anytime from early 1980’s to late 1990’s you likely heard her voice offering directory assistance. An avid animal lover, she had many pets. Some of them ex-strays and could often be seen riding along Corrales ditches and trails on her white horse, Crackerjack. She loved Corrales and was enchanted by New Mexico’s diversity:  desert, valleys, mountains, the Rio Grande River, the leafy Bosque, deep blue skies, luminarias, balloon fiesta, summer monsoons, and of course  Green Chile.

She was a mother figure to many kids in the neighborhood, especially during the holidays when her homemade candy and Christmas cookies were highly prized. Susan had a sharp wit and an often sharper tongue. Along with a great sense of humor. Her sons Chris and Ray recall hearing jokes at home that if repeated in a classroom at Taylor Middle School likely would have resulted in a suspension. Raymond Sr. died in 2000 at the age of 67. He served in the military and worked for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. Susan is survived by her sons, Chris and Ray; grandchildren, Heather, Morgan, Cody, and three great grandchildren. We love you Mom!

In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Susan’s honor to lovingthunder.com.

Twuana and her volunteers offer Therapeutic Horse Back Riding. The staff gently put mom on beautiful horse for a final ride.  Mom spent an afternoon with friendly folks and plenty of manes and tails.