Susan Catherine O'Brien
April 17, 1940 - March 2, 2008
Obituary
Sue O’BRIEN
Longtime resident of Seattle died March 2, 2008 of complications due to diabetes. She was 67. She was born in the Capitol neighborhood, Seattle, on April 17, 1940. Later, her family moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, Portland and she received a BA in Communications from the University of Washington, 1980. She was a graduate in Commercial/Fine Art/Photography from the Photographic Center School, Seattle, 1993. Sue was an accomplished photographer with over 15 Photographic Exhibitions around the Seattle area. Many of her exhibitions were juried. She was a tireless volunteer for organizations that were able to use her gifts to help people lead better lives. She has influenced 1000’s of lives. She will be remembered for her love of God, her resilience, her tenacity and brilliant humor. She is survived by her sisters, Paddy and Sharon of Lake Oswego, Oregon and ten nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Regis and Hazel, brother Al, and her aunt and Godmother, Sister Dominic, SP. Sue’s remains will be buried in Oregon. Donations in Sue’s memory can be made to the home she loved, Providence Vincent House, c/o Sr. Chauncy, 1423 1st Ave. #440, Seattle, Washington 98101.
Patty, Family and Friends,
I can’t make the funeral because I’m alone in the office with a lot to do….Sr. Chauncey is out of town. So sorry. I spent many hours with Susan, talked prayer, scripture, movies and, certainly, her health. She had a generous heart, a ton of suffering, great hopes, and many fond memories of you, and jobs, and photographs, and travels…. I will miss her, but rejoice that her many, many pains are now gone and done, and turned to glory.
Will always miss you.
I’m going to miss your clever sense of humor, Aunt Sue. With Aunt Sue you had to pay close attention to catch what she she was really saying. I enjoyed the time when I alone with her the best. She never failed to leave me glad for having spent time with her. In over 40 years she seldom called me by my real name. I was always “honey” or “sweetie”. I smile inside when I even think of her. Now Heaven gets to smile a little more.
Sue was one of my favorite “Fremonsters” and was one of the first people I met as I started my journey of recovery 3 decades ago. We were always happy to see each other at meetings. There was a bond that comes from being given a second chance at life. Susie, you will be missed.