Susan Diana Chudnofsky

Susan Diana Chudnofsky, 54, died July 27, 2008 at home in Houston.

Viewing and funeral services were held July 31. Interment followed at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Chris, Nathaniel and David Chudnofsky and Lynwood Scott.

Chudnofsky was born Dec. 3, 1953 in Billings, Mont., and came to Alaska in 1957, first living in Fairbanks, then in Anchorage from 1973 to 1983 and finally Houston from 1983 until her death Sunday. She won first prize in the Alaska State Fair for her bread; they made a new category after her “Challah,” Jewish bread she made every Friday. She never retired and she loved flowers, cooking, to write and her family.

“She was a mom and loved being a mom,” one of her children wrote. “She taught me how to be the mother I am today. She taught me how to be a mama bear that always puts her children first in everything. She taught me how to stand up for myself and be proud of everything I did, no matter what. She also taught me the most important thing in the world; she taught me how to love unconditionally.”

Her husband, David, called her an angel sent to guide him.

“She stayed with me 36 years to fill my heart, then, brave as she was, she went ahead of me to prepare our final home, and I know that when it’s my time to make that final journey, I will go with no fear for she will be at the door with a smile and a kiss, and we will be whole again as one soul forever in the sight of God and we will then stand together and watch for our children,” he wrote.

Chudnofsky is survived by husband, David, of Houston; sons Christopher and Nathaniel Chudnofsky and William Gerhardt II, all of Houston; daughters Roxana Lynn and Tonya Chudnofsky, both of Houston; granddaughters Amanda Lynn, Katie Marie, Terissa May, McKenzie Kelly Walls, and Jessica Ann, all of Houston; grandsons Billy Jay, and David Titus Gerhardt, all of Houston; sister Jacqueline Peterson-Wariner and brother Wade Wariner of Wasilla; and nephew Tyler Wariner of Anchorage.

She is predeceased by Jack, Vic and Michael Peterson Jr. and Fernlyn Guild.

Memorial contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 9400-13, Houston, AK 99694.