Harriet Suzanne (Gortner) Waldron |
| Posted 2021-12-02 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today news Herald on Dec. 1, 2021 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Our community sadly lost a pillar Saturday, November 13th, 2021 when Harriett Suzanne Gortner Waldron passed away peacefully at Hospice of Haven Health. She was 86 years old. Her life was fully lived and full of love! Suzanne was born on December 17th, 1934 in Greenfield, MA. She was a proud New Englander. After marrying the love of her life, Robert John Waldron, on August 24th, 1957, the pair began a long journey westward, settling in different places for Robert’s work and being blessed with children along the way - Nancy in Pennsylvania, Caryn in Georgia, Bobby in Texas, and Diane in California. Suzanne had a tremendous love of learning and graduated from Sawyer College, as well as the University of Redlands. In her long career as a teacher, she taught Shorthand and Business. She was also a Legal Secretary. Robert and Suzanne retired to Lake Havasu in 1987. Suzanne dedicated many years of her life to helping others in service to her faith and community. In Lake Havasu, she was active in the Art Guild and a major advocate for AIDS Outreach. She taught Special Education and later substituted in the Lake Havasu City Unified School District. She was a devout member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church and loved her congregation dearly. She was passionate about her role as Hospital Duty Chaplain and could be seen most every Sunday delivering flowers and communion to the homebound. Family was the essence of Suzanne’s life. Her greatest pride was being the matriarch of a large family. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will forever be a major presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She will always be known as our rock and will forever be the foundation of our family. Suzanne had a wonderfully big laugh and passion for life. She loved art, playing bridge, reading, cooking, writing letters, listening to music, going out to eat at the Refuge and cuddling with her pups. She was always the life of the party. She loved to talk and play games with loved ones and friends. Her big laugh and bright smile could light up a room. When asked about her seemingly endless supply of energy, she’d grin and say, “there might be snow on the roof, but there’s fire in the furnace!” Suzanne is survived by her three children; Nancy Waldron-Smith, Caryn Waldron, and Robert Waldron. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She also leaves her three dachshund companions Kiwi, Cody and Boleyn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Irene Gortner, daughter Diane Marie DeJesus, husband Robert John Waldron, and son-in-law James Smith. Suzanne will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone. A celebration of life will be held Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her name to the Mount Olive Lutheran Church Youth Fund. Arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz- frazefuneralhome.com |
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