With a peek-a-boo view to the Pacific Ocean, Suan Keith’s home is a journey back in time.
Whether it’s her classic books, military memorabilia or her Republican bathroom – yes, you read that correctly – Keith’s large, comfortable home with her rambunctious 2-year-old Labrador Izzy is a modern-day history lesson.
The Tudor home, which she said is the ultimate family hangout during Fourth of July weekend, was bought by her parents, Eleanor and Stan Ring in 1947.
Her father, like the heads of many longtime Coronado families, was in the U.S. Navy.
The Rings had three children: Stewart, Bill and Susan.
Both boys, like other family members, were Navy officers and dad was a vice admiral, according to Keith.
The family spent time with her dad serving in Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy, but she said Coronado always was home, and the family purchased the place she now resides in when she was 6.
“We are a military family,” Keith said with a chuckle, noting her son, Ty, also was a Navy officer.
Susan has two other children: Stewart and Belle.
‘Coronado First’
Keith notes that the family is very patriotic – and Republican.
Yet, she says party affiliation has never kept her from a good friendship.
The former Coronado councilwoman said she loves her Democrat friends dearly, but they just vote differently.
And, a winning a political fight is never worth losing a friendship, she says.
She also said party politics should stay out of Coronado City Council and School Board races, and residents running for office in town should put the community ahead of a political party.
“When I ran, my campaign manager was a Democrat,” said Keith, who served on the city council in the 1980s. “My campaign signs were ‘Coronado First.'”
Keith said she tremendously resents how “our town has gone partisan.”
“That’s not what we need,” she said. “But once you have it, I don’t know how you get rid of it.”
Dance the night away
Keith says she has many fond memories growing up in Coronado, especially dancing until 2 a.m. at the Hotel del Coronado on weekends during her younger days.
“We used to go every Friday and Saturday night to the Ocean View Room,” she said. “They had a band, we had drinks, and we danced and danced…In the old days, people thought it was their hotel, and it’s not their hotel anymore.”
Keith said the Del, one of the top resorts in the country, has become too expensive for locals and primarily caters to out-of-town guests.
So, her home has become the family gathering spot on holidays.
‘Leaving the house to them’
Inside that home, Keith has military memorabilia, early edition books and…the GOP bathroom or “Elephant Room,” as she affectionately calls it.
It is a homage to Republicans, with souvenir tickets from past national GOP conventions, newspaper clippings, buttons, and hats that represent Republican historical events.
There’s also a campaign poster of the late Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Navy officer who was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.
Keith notes that McCain and her brother Bill were classmates at the Naval academy.
Keith said none of her kids can afford to live in Coronado, but she prays they will keep the home for future family celebrations.
“I’m leaving the house to them, but if they sell they are never to tell me,” Keith said. “Even if I’m dead, I don’t want to hear it come out of their mouths. I don’t want to think they will never be here.”
Do you have an idea for a Coronado Love Letter? Send your tips to Editor Craig Harris at craig@thecoronadonews.com or call 602-509-3613.
