Susan Harra Young

Passed: January 27, 2021

Susan Harra Young, 61, passed away on January 27, 2021, peacefully at home. Susan, an artist, author, and naturalist, was a lively, funny (silly!), and caring soul with an encyclopedic knowledge of the world. Born in Ft Lauderdale, Susan was a native Floridian. She graduated with honors from Clearwater High School in 1977. She moved to New Port Richey 10 years ago. She loved kayaking on the Cotee River and anything outdoors. She took great delight in spending time with her neighbors and neighborhood activities. She was also a proud member of the New Port Richey Marine League and Elks Lodge, an enthusiastic and avid practitioner of tai chi at the New Port Richey Community Center, and a writer and photographer with the Florida Outdoor Writers’ Association. She wrote and photographed many articles, and authored a book about kayaking on Florida rivers. She is missed by her sister, Alice Harra, who is immensely proud of her big sister Susan, and her three nephews, Christian, Nick and Gabriel Matesanz whom she loved very much. She is also survived by her aunt, Dorthea Hankins, and cousin Mark Hankins, his wife Julie Hankins, and their son, Sam Hankins, all of Land O’Lakes, as well as cousin Ginna Woessner and her family, of Michigan. Susan’s parents, Joseph Shirley Harra and Katherine Bowen Harra, traveled the road before her. We hope Susan is watching a beautiful sunset wherever she is, and knows that she was loved here on earth.

Please consider making a donation to the Florida Outdoor Writers Association's Scholarship Fund (Florida 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Payments can be made directly to the Florida Outdoor Writers Association at 235 Apollo Beach Blvd., #271, Apollo Beach FL 33572. Please note that the donation is being made in honor of Susan Young. Other options for donating can be made by calling the FOWA Executive Director at (813) 579-0990.

Florida Outdoor Writers Association, a 501(c)(3) Florida non-profit organization whose purpose is to preserve and protect our outdoor heritage. Each year, scholarships are awarded to college students pursuing careers in outdoor communication or studies involving the science of conservation. You can visit the Florida Outdoor Writers Association website at FOWA.org to learn more about their mission.