Longtime Carbondale and Grand Junction resident Suzanne “Susie” List Strode passed away February 27 of natural causes. She was 72. She is survived by her brother Carl Winston “C.W.” List of Ft. Worth, TX, son Tracy Strode of Denver, former husband Dale Strode and many dear relatives and friends. Known throughout the Roaring Fork Valley as Madame Gumbo for her love of Cajun music, Susie brought nationally known musical acts to the area including Delbert McClinton, Marcia Ball and BeauSoleil. She also hosted a music show on KDNK, Carbondale’s public radio station, for many years. She first visited Carbondale in the early 1970s and moved there in 1984. In 2001 she moved to Hawaii where she lived the island lifestyle until 2004. She then returned to the mainland and put down roots in Grand Junction. However, her in-born wanderlust kept her globe-hopping with travels to Europe, New Zealand, Central America and Southeast Asia. Susie also explored the western U.S. in her trusty camper and made and kept good friends along the way.
Susie was truly a free spirit who lived life joyfully and with humor. She was always up for an adventure. We will miss her deeply and will always remember her luminous smile.
There will be a celebration in honor of Susie’s life, influence and travels in Carbondale, Saturday, April 13, at the Third Street Center with live music and memories from friends and family, starting at 4 p.m. Susie would have celebrated her 73rd birthday on April 12.