Memories of Susan "Suzy" Carol (Wisner) Blanchard

Erik Blanchard

Suzy Video Four - A Force to be Reckoned With

Read More Read Less

1

Marcus Sheffer

Close

Comments:

Gail Parnell

Fabulous and beautiful. Thank you family. Blessings all, Gail Fabulous and beautiful. Thank you family. Blessings all, Gail Fabulous and beautiful. Thank you family. Blessings... Read more

Erik Blanchard

Suzy Video 3 - A Legacy of Joy

Read More Read Less

1

Marcus Sheffer

Close

Erik Blanchard

Suzy Video Two - Love and Purpose

Read More Read Less

1

Marcus Sheffer

Close

Erik Blanchard

Suzy Part One - Daughter, Big Sister and Friend.

Read More Read Less

1

2

Marcus Sheffer

Close

Comments:

Judy Silar

So much fun to watch this....Thanks Erik... Judy So much fun to watch this....Thanks Erik... Judy So much fun to watch this....Thanks Erik... Judy

Erik Blanchard

Big heart smile! Big heart smile! Big heart smile!

Teresa Frizzell

Noti, OR, USA

I met Suzy in 1981 while enrolling my son Joey at the Noti Preschool. She was so very welcoming and full of great information for his first preschool experience. Suzy was very friendly and my visits to her classroom (volunteering) were fun and full of great educational activities. Soon after school started Suzy approached me to become a board member for the preschool. I was a board member for that school year. These experiences: volunteer on the board and classroom started my interest in the education of young children. I went on to be hired at Head Start of Lane County. I stayed employed at HS for 31 years.

I remember one night our family was stalled on hwy 126 (major accident) very close to David and Suzy’s house. A call to them and we were comfy and warm until the road was cleared. So much fun spending time with them. Dancing and laughing with David, Suzy, Eric and the girls. I feel blessed to have know Suzy David and family.

Sending love and hugs to the family as I am unable to attend Suzy’s celebration. 💜☮️🕉️

Read More Read Less

1

Teresa Frizzell

Close

Comments:

Judy Silar

Suzy was a Super Friend during Elementary and High School, and then Card Club as we raised our children ....... Read more Suzy was a Super Friend during Elementary and High School, and then Card Club as we raised our children .... picnics, adult volleyball... Read more Suzy was a Super Friend during Elementary and High ... Read more

Teresa Frizzell

Shared a heart

Close

Erik Blanchard

1

Marcus Sheffer

Close

Erik Blanchard

1

Marcus Sheffer

Close

Will Parnell

Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Suzy and Will traveling to Reggio

Read More Read Less

3

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Corianne Rice Heinke

Close

Will Parnell

Helen Gordon Child Development, Southwest 12th Avenue, Portland, OR, USA

Suzy seeking reflections

Read More Read Less

3

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Corianne Rice Heinke

Close

Will Parnell

Helen Gordon Child Development, Southwest 12th Avenue, Portland, OR, USA

Suzy reminiscing with children

Read More Read Less

3

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Corianne Rice Heinke

Close

Will Parnell

3

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Corianne Rice Heinke

Close

Will Parnell

Helen Gordon Child Development, Southwest 12th Avenue, Portland, OR, USA

Suzy’s Studio…getting ready! — with Suzy and Children

Read More Read Less

4

1

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Marcus Sheffer

Corianne Rice Heinke

Close

Comments:

Corianne Rice Heinke

So much magic happening here... So much magic happening here... So much magic happening here...

Will Parnell

Helen Gordon Child Development, Southwest 12th Avenue, Portland, OR, USA

Suzy’s Studio HGC! — with Suzy and HGC Children

Read More Read Less

3

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Corianne Rice Heinke

Close

Amy Skundrich

My Aunt Suzy was one of my favorite people on the planet. When I think of her I think of warmth, love, compassion, energy, and laughter! I hear her distinct voice and laugh! The love that she had for my Uncle Dave, my cousins , and grandchildren was boundless! I send my love to all of you!

Read More Read Less

2

Marcus Sheffer

Erik Blanchard

Close

Holly Woods

Forever friends (since the 70's) — with Suzy, Maralee Worth and Holly Woods

Read More Read Less

2

1

Erik Blanchard

Will Parnell

Close

Comments:

Holly Woods

How I will miss this beautiful soul. So many memories and so much laughter! I am so thankful to have had ... Read more How I will miss this beautiful soul. So many memories and so much laughter! I am so thankful to have had you as a friend/sister.... Read more How I will miss this beautiful soul. So many memories... Read more

Corianne Rice Heinke

One of my favorite memories of Suzy was being reprimanded by her!

Will (Parnell) and I were making soup for lunch at the Co-op one day. Will and I were messing around and having way too much fun. And apparently I’m doing so, we were also quite loud. Suzy was actually out on an errand at the time. Upon her return, she could hear us and marched right to the doorway of the kitchen, and very loudly asked, “What is going on in here?!”. Will and I both froze. I cannot imagine how big our eyes were. I’m sure we stammered that we were making lunch. As I recall, she started laughing. Probably because she got such terrified looks from us.

Read More Read Less

3

Gail Parnell

Norma Lindh-Nussbaum

Erik Blanchard

Close

Corianne Rice Heinke

Dear Dave, Erik, Jodee, Alyson, and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Suzy was an incredible human who one of my friends described as Vibrant. I love that word for her. She always made me feel important and loved whenever I was around her, and I know she did the same for many others.

She will forever be one of my favorite humans, and I’m grateful I had the time I did with her.

Big hugs to all of you. 💜💜💜

Read More Read Less

2

Norma Lindh-Nussbaum

Erik Blanchard

Close

Corianne Rice Heinke

3

1

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Will Parnell

Close

Comments:

Corianne Rice Heinke

Some of my favorite humans. 💜 Some of my favorite humans. 💜 Some of my favorite humans. 💜

Corianne Rice Heinke

2019, Amazon Pool in Eugene

Celebrating the Co-op

Read More Read Less

3

2

Marcus Sheffer

Erik Blanchard

Gail Parnell

Close

Comments:

Corianne Rice Heinke

I have been thankful for this picture since we took it. Most of my time was spent with Suzy before we had... Read more I have been thankful for this picture since we took it. Most of my time was spent with Suzy before we had cell phones, so I don’t... Read more I have been thankful for this picture since we took... Read more

Will Parnell

I am still so sad for the loss of one of my dearest friends Suzy B! While grief comes in waves for me, I also find such sweetness in memories like this one! It is because of Suzy’s openness, loving, and kindness toward children and families that Corianne and I found each other and grew up together to be best of friends! We still have more friends from this same era, Renae, Mesheal, and many more! We have each been moved by Suzy’s musings and life-wisdoms!  I fell in love with Suzy and her philosophy of life!

As this particular memory comes up from 6 years ago today, I can see the joy we all had together once again. We were visiting the Coop Family Center in Eugene, Oregon, for the Coop’s anniversary celebration! What an event as per usual! Suzy loved to cook food and feed lots of happy bellies and this tradition lives on at the coop and in many schools later touched by Suzy’s life such as my beloved school at PSU, the Helen Gordon Center (HGC)!

You would be hard pressed to meet people like Suzy and Dave and their fine children, Erik, Jodi, and Allison! Suzy and her family opened their doors, hearts, and minds to people to build a vast community around themselves. It has been their care that sustains them in this life work that Suzy and Dave have actively pursued!

As just one of many examples, I remember how Suzy helped me to come out and be more authentically who I really am. She did so by inviting me to coffee after the summer of my freshman year. She said, you know that my son is gay (who didn’t, because she was such a fierce advocate she always told and taught through stories). She continued, “I thoguht that maybe, you might be also?” I wasn’t ready for that conversation just yet. She recognized this and understood, so she was very gentle and loving in our conversation. After a long conversation, she said, “well, okay, whenever you are ready to talk about this some more.” (Notice how this was particularly worded!). It wasn’t long after… I can’t ever thank her enough to allow me to lean on her courage. It was through my friendship with her that it all became easier. A very big thank you to my own family (Gail and Trina), too, for allowing the ease…the 80’s were so different a time from nowadays! This was a tough area to navigate and continue to feel safe and good doing so.

Speeding forward many, many years! As for Suzy and me, we remained friends for the rest of our lives.  After she retired from Eugene, we stayed in touch and talked often.  I would sneak to the Helen Gordon Center basement to have a private lunch conversation with her over the phone where nobody would be around. I would ask her about how to handle a sticky situation at work or think about another vision to create for children, families, teachers, and schools. She was the biggest leader-reader I knew! Always staying at the edge of what was possible and good for children’s lived-experiences in schools!

Then, one day she surprised me and told me she was moving to Portland. She asked if Ellie and I had a job for her. We quickly made a part-time studio teaching (atelierista) position available for her. We knew it would be perfect for a retired and energetic friend! She worked her magic and kept her light flowing through the lives of so many!

Her time in HGC culminated in me writing my research on the two studio teachers, Marsha and Suzy, and their way of working in the school. The importance of their work surpassed expectations. They gently guided us by actions, productions, and ongoing dialogues led by our inquiry together to want to live well and open deep levels of learning.

Suzy’s teaching will never stop. She lives on through us now and we can carry her legacies forward with us. She lit a bonfire and we are carriers of the many torches…

Thank you, Suzy! I will miss you more than anyone will ever know. And, I will never forget how to pass along this good work of living the best life I am able. Our world needs more of that right now than ever.

My love and compassion go out to Suzy’s dear family. Thank you for opening yourselves to so many of us and sharing your mama, wife, friend, companion, confidant, teacher, …

In deepest love,

Will

I am still so sad for the loss of one of my dearest friends Suzy B! While grief comes in waves for me, I ... Read morealso find such sweetness in memories like this one! It is because of Suzy’s openness, loving, and kindness toward children and families that Corianne and I found each other and grew up together to be best of friends! We still have more friends from this same era, Renae, Mesheal, and many more! We have each been moved by Suzy’s musings and life-wisdoms! I fell in love with Suzy and her philosophy of life!

As this particular memory comes up from 6 years ago today, I can see the joy we all had together once again. We were visiting the Coop Family Center in Eugene, Oregon, for the Coop’s anniversary celebration! What an event as per usual! Suzy loved to cook food and feed lots of happy bellies and this tradition lives on at the coop and in many schools later touched by Suzy’s life such as my beloved school at PSU, the Helen Gordon Center (HGC)!

You would be hard pressed to meet people like Suzy and Dave and their fine children, Erik, Jodi, and Allison! Suzy and her family opened their doors, hearts, and minds to people to build a vast community around themselves. It has been their care that sustains them in this life work that Suzy and Dave have actively pursued!

As just one of many examples, I remember how Suzy helped me to come out and be more authentically who I really am. She did so by inviting me to coffee after the summer of my freshman year. She said, you know that my son is gay (who didn’t, because she was such a fierce advocate she always told and taught through stories). She continued, “I thoguht that maybe, you might be also?” I wasn’t ready for that conversation just yet. She recognized this and understood, so she was very gentle and loving in our conversation. After a long conversation, she said, “well, okay, whenever you are ready to talk about this some more.” (Notice how this was particularly worded!). It wasn’t long after… I can’t ever thank her enough to allow me to lean on her courage. It was through my friendship with her that it all became easier. A very big thank you to my own family (Gail and Trina), too, for allowing the ease…the 80’s were so different a time from nowadays! This was a tough area to navigate and continue to feel safe and good doing so.

Speeding forward many, many years! As for Suzy and me, we remained friends for the rest of our lives. After she retired from Eugene, we stayed in touch and talked often. I would sneak to the Helen Gordon Center basement to have a private lunch conversation with her over the phone where nobody would be around. I would ask her about how to handle a sticky situation at work or think about another vision to create for children, families, teachers, and schools. She was the biggest leader-reader I knew! Always staying at the edge of what was possible and good for children’s lived-experiences in schools!

Then, one day she surprised me and told me she was moving to Portland. She asked if Ellie and I had a job for her. We quickly made a part-time studio teaching (atelierista) position available for her. We knew it would be perfect for a retired and energetic friend! She worked her magic and kept her light flowing through the lives of so many!

Her time in HGC culminated in me writing my research on the two studio teachers, Marsha and Suzy, and their way of working in the school. The importance of their work surpassed expectations. They gently guided us by actions, productions, and ongoing dialogues led by our inquiry together to want to live well and open deep levels of learning.

Suzy’s teaching will never stop. She lives on through us now and we can carry her legacies forward with us. She lit a bonfire and we are carriers of the many torches…

Thank you, Suzy! I will miss you more than anyone will ever know. And, I will never forget how to pass along this good work of living the best life I am able. Our world needs more of that right now than ever.

My love and compassion go out to Suzy’s dear family. Thank you for opening yourselves to so many of us and sharing your mama, wife, friend, companion, confidant, teacher, …

In deepest love,

Will Read less I am still so sad for the loss of one of my dearest friends Suzy B! While grief comes in waves for me, I also find such sweetness... Read more in memories like this one! It is because of Suzy’s openness, loving, and kindness toward children and families that Corianne and I found each other and grew up together to be best of friends! We still have more friends from this same era, Renae, Mesheal, and many more! We have each been moved by Suzy’s musings and life-wisdoms! I fell in love with Suzy and her philosophy of life!

As this particular memory comes up from 6 years ago today, I can see the joy we all had together once again. We were visiting the Coop Family Center in Eugene, Oregon, for the Coop’s anniversary celebration! What an event as per usual! Suzy loved to cook food and feed lots of happy bellies and this tradition lives on at the coop and in many schools later touched by Suzy’s life such as my beloved school at PSU, the Helen Gordon Center (HGC)!

You would be hard pressed to meet people like Suzy and Dave and their fine children, Erik, Jodi, and Allison! Suzy and her family opened their doors, hearts, and minds to people to build a vast community around themselves. It has been their care that sustains them in this life work that Suzy and Dave have actively pursued!

As just one of many examples, I remember how Suzy helped me to come out and be more authentically who I really am. She did so by inviting me to coffee after the summer of my freshman year. She said, you know that my son is gay (who didn’t, because she was such a fierce advocate she always told and taught through stories). She continued, “I thoguht that maybe, you might be also?” I wasn’t ready for that conversation just yet. She recognized this and understood, so she was very gentle and loving in our conversation. After a long conversation, she said, “well, okay, whenever you are ready to talk about this some more.” (Notice how this was particularly worded!). It wasn’t long after… I can’t ever thank her enough to allow me to lean on her courage. It was through my friendship with her that it all became easier. A very big thank you to my own family (Gail and Trina), too, for allowing the ease…the 80’s were so different a time from nowadays! This was a tough area to navigate and continue to feel safe and good doing so.

Speeding forward many, many years! As for Suzy and me, we remained friends for the rest of our lives. After she retired from Eugene, we stayed in touch and talked often. I would sneak to the Helen Gordon Center basement to have a private lunch conversation with her over the phone where nobody would be around. I would ask her about how to handle a sticky situation at work or think about another vision to create for children, families, teachers, and schools. She was the biggest leader-reader I knew! Always staying at the edge of what was possible and good for children’s lived-experiences in schools!

Then, one day she surprised me and told me she was moving to Portland. She asked if Ellie and I had a job for her. We quickly made a part-time studio teaching (atelierista) position available for her. We knew it would be perfect for a retired and energetic friend! She worked her magic and kept her light flowing through the lives of so many!

Her time in HGC culminated in me writing my research on the two studio teachers, Marsha and Suzy, and their way of working in the school. The importance of their work surpassed expectations. They gently guided us by actions, productions, and ongoing dialogues led by our inquiry together to want to live well and open deep levels of learning.

Suzy’s teaching will never stop. She lives on through us now and we can carry her legacies forward with us. She lit a bonfire and we are carriers of the many torches…

Thank you, Suzy! I will miss you more than anyone will ever know. And, I will never forget how to pass along this good work of living the best life I am able. Our world needs more of that right now than ever.

My love and compassion go out to Suzy’s dear family. Thank you for opening yourselves to so many of us and sharing your mama, wife, friend, companion, confidant, teacher, …

In deepest love,

Will Read less I am still so sad for the loss of one of my dearest... Read more friends Suzy B! While grief comes in waves for me, I also find such sweetness in memories like this one! It is because of Suzy’s openness, loving, and kindness toward children and families that Corianne and I found each other and grew up together to be best of friends! We still have more friends from this same era, Renae, Mesheal, and many more! We have each been moved by Suzy’s musings and life-wisdoms! I fell in love with Suzy and her philosophy of life!

As this particular memory comes up from 6 years ago today, I can see the joy we all had together once again. We were visiting the Coop Family Center in Eugene, Oregon, for the Coop’s anniversary celebration! What an event as per usual! Suzy loved to cook food and feed lots of happy bellies and this tradition lives on at the coop and in many schools later touched by Suzy’s life such as my beloved school at PSU, the Helen Gordon Center (HGC)!

You would be hard pressed to meet people like Suzy and Dave and their fine children, Erik, Jodi, and Allison! Suzy and her family opened their doors, hearts, and minds to people to build a vast community around themselves. It has been their care that sustains them in this life work that Suzy and Dave have actively pursued!

As just one of many examples, I remember how Suzy helped me to come out and be more authentically who I really am. She did so by inviting me to coffee after the summer of my freshman year. She said, you know that my son is gay (who didn’t, because she was such a fierce advocate she always told and taught through stories). She continued, “I thoguht that maybe, you might be also?” I wasn’t ready for that conversation just yet. She recognized this and understood, so she was very gentle and loving in our conversation. After a long conversation, she said, “well, okay, whenever you are ready to talk about this some more.” (Notice how this was particularly worded!). It wasn’t long after… I can’t ever thank her enough to allow me to lean on her courage. It was through my friendship with her that it all became easier. A very big thank you to my own family (Gail and Trina), too, for allowing the ease…the 80’s were so different a time from nowadays! This was a tough area to navigate and continue to feel safe and good doing so.

Speeding forward many, many years! As for Suzy and me, we remained friends for the rest of our lives. After she retired from Eugene, we stayed in touch and talked often. I would sneak to the Helen Gordon Center basement to have a private lunch conversation with her over the phone where nobody would be around. I would ask her about how to handle a sticky situation at work or think about another vision to create for children, families, teachers, and schools. She was the biggest leader-reader I knew! Always staying at the edge of what was possible and good for children’s lived-experiences in schools!

Then, one day she surprised me and told me she was moving to Portland. She asked if Ellie and I had a job for her. We quickly made a part-time studio teaching (atelierista) position available for her. We knew it would be perfect for a retired and energetic friend! She worked her magic and kept her light flowing through the lives of so many!

Her time in HGC culminated in me writing my research on the two studio teachers, Marsha and Suzy, and their way of working in the school. The importance of their work surpassed expectations. They gently guided us by actions, productions, and ongoing dialogues led by our inquiry together to want to live well and open deep levels of learning.

Suzy’s teaching will never stop. She lives on through us now and we can carry her legacies forward with us. She lit a bonfire and we are carriers of the many torches…

Thank you, Suzy! I will miss you more than anyone will ever know. And, I will never forget how to pass along this good work of living the best life I am able. Our world needs more of that right now than ever.

My love and compassion go out to Suzy’s dear family. Thank you for opening yourselves to so many of us and sharing your mama, wife, friend, companion, confidant, teacher, …

In deepest love,

Will Read less