Sense Of Anger Hangs Over Funeral Of Webstad -- `Sunshine Lady' Died After Stortini Breakup

TACOMA - The "sunshine lady" was buried on a rainy afternoon.

Two days after Susan Webstad died of an apparent overdose of prescription drugs, more than 200 of her friends and relatives filled a Tacoma funeral chapel yesterday.

The name of the man who was with her when she apparently took the overdose, Pierce County Executive Joe Stortini, wasn't mentioned during the service.

At the family's request, Stortini did not attend the memorial service that preceded burial at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. Webstad, 46, is believed to have taken her life after the county executive, with whom she was romantically involved, told her he planned to return to his wife.

Officiating at the memorial service for Webstad - a county employee who once worked in Stortini's office - was another county employee, sheriff's Chaplain Dan Nolta.

"Many of us come here today with a sense of anger," Nolta said " . . . at ourselves for not listening more closely, not paying attention, and certainly some of us with anger at Susan. Many also come with feelings of guilt."

Nolta reported words used to describe Webstad: her mother's adjective, "effervescent," her brother's description, "a tomboy cheerleader," and the chaplain's own words, "a sunshine lady."

He recalled her marriage to Norman Webstad, which ended during her relationship with Stortini, saying: "From that marriage came the pride of her life, the indisputable pride of her life, Russell and Ericka," her grown children.

Webstad's struggle with alcohol and her troubled love life were unknown to most of those who knew her, Nolta said - "until Monday morning came and she made a choice. Whatever we know about that choice and whatever we think about that choice, . . . Susan made it.

The chaplain preached acceptance and forgiveness as antidotes to anger.

Praying for acceptance of her death, he said, "We know of the storms of her life. We know little of her real pain. Father, we commit her to you today and we know you are the judge of all the living and the dead - not we."

The Pierce County sheriff's office and Tacoma police are investigating Webstad's death.

Stortini spokesman Dick Ferguson said his boss wished to extend his sympathy to Webstad's family. "He understands that they are bitter and he understands why. It is just a terrible loss."

Ferguson said Stortini regretted not calling 911 immediately after learning that Webstad had taken the prescription heart medication about 1 a.m. Monday at his home. Stortini has said she did not seem to be suffering any ill effects at the time, and he called for help immediately after she passed out 40 minutes later.

"Obviously he would love to do a lot of things that can't be undone," Ferguson said.

Stortini's predecessor, Gov. Booth Gardner, visited him yesterday. Ferguson described the visit as "an expression of concern." He said Stortini has received an "overwhelming" number of calls and letters expressing sympathy.

County Councilwoman Barbara Skinner said only one constituent had suggested to her that Stortini resign, while Councilwoman Barbara Gelman said she had received "mixed" comments from citizens.

Stortini told council members Tuesday he plans to complete his term, which runs through 1992.