BOISE -- Dozens of people gathered Saturday to remember a friend and family member taken from them too soon, and to hopefully raise awareness about a big, but not often-talked about, problem.
Police say Sue Newby was pushed off a cliff by her husband in 2008. Mark Newby committed suicide before police could make an arrest.
Sue was very much her own woman, said Marjory Sente, Newby's sister. She was a very independent woman. She was a life-long lover of horses.
Family and friends believe there was abuse even before her death.
Sue, we believe, was a victim of domestic violence, said Sente. I wanted to do something at (Women's and Children's Alliance) in honor of her memory.
And so was born the SueB Memorial Stroll. Saturday's stroll was was the 2nd annual for the event. Teresa Andrew and Leslie Hampe organized the event in honor of their fallen friend and to help others in the future.
I draw all my strength from Sue, said Hampe. One in four women are affected by domestic violence. It's a huge number, it's huge.
It's probably your neighbor, Andrew said. It could be your family member, said Andrew.
The Stroll raises awareness and money for the Women's and Children's Alliance, which helps victims of domestic violence.
They have housing in this valley for women to escape an abusive relationship, to go and be safe, said Andrew. And they also help them learn to be self-sufficient and have good self esteem.
A lot of people stay in domestic violence situations because they don't know they can get help, said Cindy Mendoza, a stroll participant. We want to bring awareness to that, so people know there is help for them.
Organizers hope this stroll can help the WCA help more victims and end the chain of abuse.
Sue was always a real people person, said Andrew. She would want us to, you know, 'Don't forget me. Spread the word. Tell people who I was, what I did. Get everybody involved, and have people be happy, and live.'
Organizers said they hope the Stroll continues to grow. There was a good sign for that Saturday, with about twice as many people walking this year than last.
