Susanne J. Brown
1934 – 2012
Susanne Jane (Shumaker) Brown passed away on December 22nd with family by her side. Born in 1934, in Beverly Hills, and living most of her life in Southern California, she spent the final five years on Bainbridge Island, WA.
From the moment her cancer was diagnosed, she was determined to fight it and her attitude was inspiring to the end – this ability to look forward, find laughter, make the best of things and carry on enjoying friends and family was inspirational to all who witnessed her in her last months. She was especially happy to return home in October and enjoyed a UK/USA family Thanksgiving feast around her bed and all the readying for Christmas.
Susanne loved creating an atmosphere – from stylish interiors to being the witch who sat on the roof of the house, famous for blocks around, and let down her Halloween treats in a caldron on a rope.
She and her husband, George Kenneth Brown raised their children in San Marino and the Sierra Nevada Mountains – these years were full of many happy memories shared with family and friends gathered at ‘The Pot O’Gold’, Mammoth Lakes. Hiking and fishing in the summers, skiing in the winter, with as many friends and family as could be packed in!!
Sue and Ken shared 57 years of married life together and countless happy memories, photos, and treasures gathered are the legacy of this union.
Susanne’s parents were Allene Farwell (nee Shumaker), and Phillip Shumaker, Sue is survived by her sister, Cynthia Niblo; Sue’s husband George Kenneth Brown; their children: daughter Dana Goodburn-Brown (Damian) who reside in SE England – grandchildren: Japhet and Wayland Goodburn; son Kevin Brown (whose wife, Gwen is deceased) Mannoth Falls, CA; and daughter Lauren Kozlosky (Carl) of Bainbridge Island, WA – grandchildren children: Brice, Jason, Megan and Anna.
As “Mom”, her children were taught to tie on and ‘worm’ a fishhook; pack a backpack for a Sierras expedition, or as they approached adulthood, luggage for an overseas adventure; and perhaps most importantly, kindness and generosity towards animals and others. Although wishing her children by her side, she encouraged the wings upon their backs and waved them off with a smile and welling tears in her eyes as they travelled on foreign exchange trips, out-of state/overseas Universities and homes.
As “Omi”, her six grandchildren knew her as warm, domino and gin rummy playing, generous, and always supportive of their sports, art, music and other activities. Although spread in age and growing up on different continents, the Goodburn and Kozlosky cousins are a ‘tight group’, having spent many Christmases and family holidays together with their parents, Omi and Granddad – this family bonding is a tribute to Sue’s life in itself.
Sue’s family would like to send a thank you to all her friends, colleagues from Treasures & Trivia, and clients whose homes and social rooms were made special through Sue’s eye for design – she lead a full and joyful life !
Sue will eventually be resting amongst the Sierra Nevadas – playground of her youth, parenting, and continued enjoyment by her grandchildren. No formal service of remembrance will be held, but donations to the Pasadena Guild of Children’s Hospital would be appreciated for her memorial.
TRIBUTE Paid Notice
