Former Sheridan resident Susan Ainsworth Allen, 58, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Fla., after battling sepsis.

A memorial service is 10 a.m. Saturday at Faith Evangelical Church, 3145 Sweet Water Drive, in Billings.

Born May 17, 1951, to Nancy “Ruth” and Frank Ainsworth in Logan, Utah, she settled with her family in Sheridan early in her life.

She left Sheridan after high school to pursue a degree in English at the University of Wyoming.

While at UW she met William “Bill” Arthur Allen. When he graduated, the couple moved to Denver and were married Nov. 2, 1973.

She was a homemaker who was active in her children’s schools, church, and social programs.

In 1991 the family moved to Ghana, West Africa, where Mr. Allen took a senior management position for a gold mine.

The family returned to the United States in 1997 and settled in Billings, where Mrs. Allen was active in social groups.

She was diagnosed with rapid kidney failure in 1999 due to complications of diabetes and received a kidney donated by her sister Janet.

Her husband died in 2003.

She moved to Gainesville, Fla., in March to live with her son, Joshua.

In addition to her son and sister, survivors include her mother; two daughters, Alexandra and Katherine; two sisters, Christy and Laurie; a brother, Jeff; and one granddaughter.

Donations may benefit a memorial for the future education of her grandchildren.

The Sheridan Press - December 17, 2009.