Who is Susan Smallhorn from Brian's Hunt and what is their importance?

Susan is the daughter of Anne and David Smallhorn. Susan is on the lake when the bear attacks and kills her parents. Susan survives the attack by using her hands as paddles..... keeping the canoe far enough from shore to stay away from the bear. When the officials who arrive at the cabin say there's nothing they can do to track down the bear that killed David and Anne, Susan realizes without words that Brian will be going after the bear. Both Susan and Brian know that Brian can find the bear. Susan warns him to be careful and says the bear is more savage than he might expect.