Remembering Sonnie Sussillo
We were saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague, Sonnie Sussillo, who passed away in March while hiking in the Gila National Forest with her friend, Pam, and her dog, Pumpkin.
Sonnie had been a valued and respected volunteer for GRIP and the Gila Conservation Coalition for years, facilitating monthly Gila coalition meetings, keeping us on track through the final years of the Gila River diversion campaign. In addition to helping us with our donor management, Sonnie was a stalwart Gila River Festival planning committee member. She stepped up to moderate presentations, lead field trips, coordinate speakers, and so much more.
Her love for the Gila drove her many contributions to Gila River protection and public lands advocacy with GCC and other organizations. Her photography and writing show her strong commitment to protection of our region’s wild places.
We miss Sonnie’s warm heart, infectious smile and cheerfulness, and her love for and dedication to the Gila and the wonders of Nature.