Susan Ainsworth Gustafson

Susan Ainsworth Gustafson, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on May 4, 2025, at the age of 73.

Born on December 23, 1951, Susan was the daughter of Francis Rea Ainsworth and Lloyd Henry Ainsworth. She grew up in Iraan, Texas, where she graduated from Iraan High School. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in Business from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas.

Susan had a deep faith in God that guided her throughout her life. Her belief gave her strength in hard times and shaped the kindness and generosity she showed to others.

The family shares deep roots in Matagorda, Texas, where Susan owned and operated a small motel near the Gulf Coast in the 1990s. She raised her three children there alongside their grandmother, Fran—affectionately known as Mimi. Life in Matagorda was filled with memories of adventures spent near the water, where Susan created a home rich in love, resilience, and Gulf Coast charm.

Susan spent the majority of her professional life as a truck driver—a job that suited her strength and sense of independence. She drove cross-country, hauled hazmat, worked belly dumps and cement mixers, among many other roles behind the wheel. In more recent years, she devoted herself to caregiving, offering compassion, reliability, and support to her clients.

She spent the past 30 years in Tucson, Arizona, where she built a life filled with family, faith, and friendships. Susan loved a good deal. Whether it was a thrift store find, a garage sale treasure, or a car she could barter for, she had a true gift for negotiating and trading. She collected cars of all kinds and had a lifelong passion for buying, fixing, and selling them.

She was the kind of person who would give you anything she had if she thought it would help. Her mother, Mimi, used to say she had to be careful mentioning that she wanted something, because Susan would somehow make it happen. Her generosity was limitless.

Susan is survived by her three children: Jennifer Gustafson Brown and her husband, Jason Brown, of Tucson, Arizona; Charles Lloyd Gustafson, of Tucson; and Cassandra Colleen Gustafson of Dallas, Texas. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Sabastian and Trinity Brown, Zackery and Kaitlyn Gustafson, and Brooklyn and Brandon “BJ” Ross. She is also survived by her sister, Sheila Grace of Brownwood, Texas, and her children, Brandy Rose and Clayton Donowho.

Susan was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

There will be no formal services. In her memory, please consider making a donation to a local domestic violence organization of your choice.