Obituary of Susan Chauncey Ashburn

Susan Chauncey Harrison Ashburn, 1946-2021. Survived by her husband, Arnold G. Ashburn, and her two brothers, Scott and Rick Harrison. Chauncey grew up in the Dallas suburb of Irving, attended Southwest Texas State College and The University of Texas, from which she graduated with a major in psychology.  Subsequently she worked with Texas state agencies in various positions relating to child protective services.  At one point she served as a primary liaison between the state's Child Protective Services Program and the Junior League of Austin, where she was a  member, serving first as a volunteer and then as a sustainer until her death.

Those who knew Chauncey as a friend or co-worker remember her happy disposition and ever creative sense of humor.  Her closest friends said they especially remember her happy and generous spirit and devotion to her friends. They also remember her as always dedicated and caring in her work to protect children in jeopardy.

This coming Thanksgiving was to be the 39th anniversary of her marriage to Arnold,  who said after she had passed that he "was so fortunate to have had her for these 39 years as my angel in our heaven on earth" and that "now she has gone on to be my angel in heaven" and that he "can imagine that she is already volunteering to be my guardian angel."

Chauncey's spiritual life as a Unitarian was focused on her reverence for life, which permeated her very being.(She would rather open a window for a fly to escape than to swat it.)  Chauncey loved animals . She especially loved cats all her life and "our canine companions through our 39 years,"  Arnold said. "She also enjoyed interacting with the squirrels who came into our inner patio to take a pecan from her loving hands."

Memorial services are planned for this coming Spring when Chauncey's ashes will be interned on the Ashburn Ranch near Diana, Texas.  A pecan tree will be planted with her ashes; and a specially carved bird by her dear brother, Scott Harrison, who is an accomplished artist of carved animals.  Chauncey had asked that any remembrances be sent to Austin Pets Alive: "So that we can help keep Austin a 'No Kill' city," she told Arnold.