Last Word: Susi Lyons

In July 2005, we started “The Last Word,” a column in which locals answer questions about themselves. It was patterned after Vanity Fair’s The Proust Questionnaire – which had its origins in a parlor game popularized by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that an individual reveals his or her true nature in answering these questions.

SUSI LYON

Inweekly, 8/18/2005

It’s hard, if not impossible, to resist joking and laughing with Seville Quarter’s special events a marketing director. She’s just the type of fun-loving person you want to coordinate events. Currently, she’s busy helping to organize and to plan the Independent News music awards show slated in October. Lyon took time, though, to talk about Janet Jackson’s favorite sandwich, a way to meet rich men on the Sun Valley, Idaho, golf course and why she’s so funny.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Chillin’ somewhere in Pensacola with great friends.

What is your greatest fear?
Lack of support.

What is the trait you most deplore?
Guys in muscle shirts with tattoos.

Which living person do you most admire?
My father Rosy Lyon, who’s 91 and still fishes for Rainbow Trout and swings a golf club.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Traveling.

What is your favorite journey?
Going back to Sun Valley, Idaho, winter or summer to hang out.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Skinniness.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Whatever.

When and where are you most comfortable?
Chillin’ on my front porch with a good glass of wine.

Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to sing.

What is your current state of mind?
I’m pretty laid back and loving and enjoying everything in my life.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
My older brother, who died at 23 in 1968, would still be alive.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
We sent Janet Jackson chicken supreme sandwiches from McGuire’s when she was rehearsing at the Pensacola Civic Center. The Associated Press picked up the story and it went worldwide, even Australia. For the rest of her tour, we were sending chicken sandwiches to Denver, Detroit and every place else.

What do you consider your greatest failure?
I never married the love of my life.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The loss of a friend.

What is your dream job?
To be the cart girl at the Sun Valley, Idaho, golf course.

What is your most striking characteristic?
My sense of humor.

What important lesson have you learned in life?
Don’t take yourself too seriously.

What do you most value in friends?
To know my flaws and still love me anyway.

How would you like to die?
Very peacefully surrounded by my two cats.

What is your motto?
I’m growing older but not up.