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Sue Clauve, a longtime popular administrator with the State of New Mexico, died at home on her birthday, September 23, 2006, after a nine-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 63. The daughter of Arnold and Eileen Clauve, Sue Margaret Clauve was born September 23, 1943 in Wabash, IN, and moved with her family to Albuquerque during her childhood. She graduated from Sandia High School and earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from University of Oklahoma and a master's degree in public administration from University of New Mexico. During the early years of her career, Clauve worked for IBM in systems development in Denver and Palo Alto, CA, before joining the State of New Mexico in 1975. Successive promotions earned her the position of director of the Department of Integrated Systems Development, part of the General Services Administration, in which she oversaw all data and information processing for the state and supervised some 200 employees. She served in that position from 1991 until 1996. Subsequently, she was the state's deputy chief information officer for two years. Clauve retired from that position in 1998 when she became ill. A Democrat, she had worked equally effectively for the Republican and Democratic administrations of Governors Bruce King, Toney Anaya, Gary Carruthers and Gary Johnson during a period of rapid change in information management, and proudly displayed photographs of herself, pictured with various governors, in her home. Former New Mexico Gov. Bruce King, for whom Clauve worked during two of his three administrations, commended her for her professional contributions to the state. "That was the beginning of getting our information systems integrated and improved,'' King said in a phone interview. "Sue did excellent work. We're all very saddened by her passing.'' Clauve played softball throughout her life, and with her partner organized and managed many women's softball teams. Even after undergoing many surgeries and chemotherapy, she continued to play until the 2006 season. Her most recent city league team, The Old Bats, was comprised of women ages 40 and over who have played together for at least a decade. During the last year she participated, Sue played second base. When she would tire and take the bench, she good-naturedly took the role of mascot and allowed teammates to rub her head - fuzzy from loss of hair due to chemotherapy - for good luck. "Sue was our heroine,'' said her friend and team scorekeeper Gail Anderson. "She faced the cancer with such bravado, playing against all odds.'' Clauve was determined to enjoy life until its end, and went camping with friends - in her wheelchair - just a few weeks before her death, Anderson noted. She also played on the Senior Olympics women's softball team. In 2002, Clauve was selected as a U.S. Olympic Torch Bearer for events in Santa Fe, of which she was very proud. Clauve also enjoyed gardening, fishing and construction. With her partner she built many additions and improvements to their south-side Santa Fe home and built a cabin on their property at Heron Lake, which they shared with many friends. Her greatest passion was the Denver Broncos' football team. Beginning in 1971, she and her partner maintained season tickets, attending Broncos' home games in Denver, and amassed an impressive collection of Broncos' memorabilia. Clauve married her partner, JoAnne Miller, in double wedding ceremony with friends in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, on July 17, 2004. She is survived by JoAnne Miller, with whom she shared her life for 38 years; sisters, JoAnn Parish and Kay Miller of Albuquerque; many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews; and many friends and former colleagues with whom she formed deep and lasting relationships. Visitation was held from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community, 11 College Way. A Vigil followed at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at Santa Maria de la Paz. Burial will follow at Rosario Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society/Ovarian Cancer Research, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718, or by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.
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