Susan Ann Heinen Lock, 79, Sacramento, Calif., formerly Loose Creek, passed away of dementia July 3, 2024.
She was born July 25, 1944, to the late Herbert Heinen, Jr. and Loraine Heinen in Jefferson City.
Susan was united in marriage to Eugene “Gene” Lock March 18, 1967 in Loose Creek, the same place where they met in grade school.
She graduated from Fatima High School in 1962. Through academic scholarships and part-time jobs, Susan graduated from Lincoln University in 1966. In appreciation, the Lock-Heinen Scholarship annually supports LU students. Susan studied journalism and government, was editor of the college newspaper, followed by graduate work at University of Missouri. She was the first college student and graduate in her family.
Susan’s first job in animal welfare was writing for the California branch of the Humane Society of the U.S., in Sacramento. She then became program director for The Animal Protection Institute, a major national US wildlife conservation group, and later joined the national board of Born Free USA, and the Sacramento Zoological Society. Susan shared lobbying and fundraising tactics with other groups’ leaders to help curb circus animal cruelty, wild horse killings and captures, as well as to save the endangered Tule Elk, whales, and many other species.
Together, she and Gene operated an advertising agency, plus an iconic store for pets and their people, Reigning Cats and Dogs. On the side, writer Susan crafted resumes for many friends in need of a job or career change.
One of her many achievements was helping to get the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act passed. “Every time you see whales spouting and swimming free, you see something made possible by Susan and others like her, who planned campaigns, raised funds, testified before governments, and picketed embassies until laws got passed to ban these senseless whale killings”, stated her husband.
Some of her favorite hobbies were World travel, photography, writing and camping.
Susan is survived by husband of 57 years, Gene of Sacramento; sister, Charlene of Kansas City; brother, Herbert Heinen, Jr. and wife Starrleen of Jefferson City; and nephew, Tim Heinen and family of Independence.
Her ashes will be scattered along the Pacific Coast near Mendocino, Calif., in view of all the whales that swim past. She left the world a better place.
Memorial contributions suggested to your local animal rescue organization or liberal political candidate.
Arrangements entrusted to ABC Cremation in Sacramento, Calif.
