Suzanne D. Spellman, 55

It’s not hard to imagine Sue, with her feet kicked up on the bow of her boat, sunglasses on, wet hair, slicked back under a ball cap, cruising across the lake as she dangles one hand in the water on a hot summer afternoon, her husband John and their dog Ellie at the wheel.

As soon as the cold winds of winter gave way to warmer spring breezes, Sue was already planning her first camping trip, dreaming of nights spent by the fire and afternoons zipping around the lake.

Sue loved the freedom camping brought to her and her family. And she and John created a million memories over the years taking their kids camping or on family vacations. If you walk into her camper today, you will see all the family photos she took of them at the lake hanging on the walls.

At home Sue loved relaxing on her enclosed front porch that she and John transformed into a peaceful alcove where she would sit on Sunday mornings sipping on a cup of coffee sweetened with her favorite zero sugar chocolate caramel Coffee Mate.

Sue had a flair for making things special.

More importantly she had a flair for making people feel special.

Sue was a confidant and counselor to many. She listened. She didn’t judge and she gave sound advice. She welcomed many of her children’s friends into her home. She always looked for the brighter side, the positive in people and situations.

She created memories out of everyday moments, like the time she spent playing with her grandkids in her backyard, coloring at the kitchen table with them or sitting on the front room floor reading books to them.

And if you ever went to a baby shower, graduation or birthday party Sue planned, you knew there would be an abundance of delicious food, fun games and prizes.

Sue spent hours scouring thrift stores looking for delicate teacups for her youngest daughter Kristyn’s baby shower. She transformed her garage into a Harry Potteresque theme, complete with sorting hat, for her daughter Amber’s baby reveal party. And she and John crafted a car racing game and photo booth for her son Jeff and his wife Ashleigh’s baby shower.

Her family was her everything. When her son Jeff needed a kidney, Sue did not hesitate to donate hers. She spent countless nights by his hospital bed, comforting and encouraging him. She attended the birth of all six of her grandchildren and she nursed John through several car wrecks, illnesses, and that odd toothpick incident.

And when she was diagnosed with cancer Sue fought hard every second of every day for the past six months to be with her family.

Sue is preceded in death by her father, John Caldwell and her mother Sally Ann Caldwell.

She is survived by her husband John Spellman; her son Jeff (Ashleigh) Spellman; daughters Amber (Ray) Centamore and Kristyn (Leo Chavez) Spellman; grandchildren, Carsen and Paislee Spellman, Scarlett and Wyatt Centamore and Issac and Mia Chavez; stepmother Jackie Wilcox; sisters Linda Hollingsead, Shelly Rodgers and Laura Rorebeck; brother Bruce Schmid; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.