Frances Suzanne Daggett “Suzy” (1944-2025)

Frances Suzanne Daggett, affectionately known as “Suzy,” passed away August 2, 2025, at her assisted living residence in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with her daughter Brittany, by her side. A beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher, Suzy lived a full and adventurous life, marked by an infectious joie de vivre, a generous spirit, and fun sense of humor that was felt by all who knew her. Her greatest love and joy was her family, especially her two children, three grandsons, and two step-granddaughters. Heartbreakingly, Suzy was preceded in death by her son, Blake Daggett, in 2020. She is survived by her daughter Brittany Daggett; her three grandsons, William, Leo, and Rhett; and her sister, Kathy Miner. Her bond with her grandson, William, was especially close; he lived with Suzy for much of his childhood, and they spent hours reading and playing in the garden together.

Born on April 12, 1944, in Portland, Oregon, Suzy grew up on her family’s farm in Troutdale with her younger siblings, Kathy and Bobby. She had a special relationship with her horses, was very involved at school, and worked every summer picking berries to save money for her dreams of travel. Her first international trip, Suzy was selected by the American Field Service exchange program to spend the summer in Norway. During her senior year at Reynolds High School, her family hosted a foreign exchange student from southern France. That friendship would have a profound impact on Suzy, sparking a lifelong love affair with French language, culture, food, and travel. After a year at the University of Oregon, she moved to Toulouse, France, to live with her “French sister” and study at the University of Toulouse. Her time there was filled with adventure: driving an old deux chevaux across the French countryside, skiing the Pyrenees, dancing in clubs, and singing in Place Wilson. This bond with her French family and their home, nestled in a small river valley, remained a sacred part of her life. She was overjoyed to share this special place with her children later in life.

When she returned from the states, Suzy continued to pursue her passion for French, completing her teaching degree at Portland State University in 1968. Her teaching career began in 1969 at Holbrook Elementary. She married in 1970, and traveled to Europe, where she taught in Bitburg, Germany, from 1973-1975, the place where daughter, Brittany, was born. Her son Blake was born in Portland, Oregon in 1977. She was a devoted mother and incredible teacher, loved by her students and colleagues. She had a unique gift of connecting with her students and getting them excited about learning through her love of reading, instilling creativity and humor, and making everyone feel special. She finished her career teaching first grade at Noti Elementary from 1989-2002. She deeply loved her time at this school and all her Noti family.

Suzy was a gifted mother, grandmother, and teacher, a Francophile to the core, and a talented gardener and cook. She was caring and thoughtful and greeted everyone with her beautiful smile and sparkle in her eye. She would help anyone and wasn’t afraid of hard work. She loved the Oregon Ducks, fishing, golfing, traveling, a good glass of champagne, a croque monsieur, books of all kinds, and singing to Neil Diamond, Harry Belafonte, and Jacques Brel.

We will always remember her infectious laughter, her lust for adventure in life, and her sense of humor. For Suzy, life was meant to be lived and felt – she was stubborn and spunky, and her spirit lives on through the memories and values she instilled in Brittany and Blake and their children: hard work, curiosity, loyal friendship, and an unpretentious love for the finer things in life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Suzy’s celebration of life will be held on September 7th from 1-3pm.

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