Obituary of Suzanna H. Troth

On a clear evening, with the moon casting its phosphorescent light over the bay in front of her home on September 7, 2011, our beloved mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and friend to many passed away in her home. Suzanna was born on August 15, 1919 in a small town in The Netherlands. Omi, as she was affectionately called by her family, enjoyed a rich and full life. Being very bright, her parents saw to it that she received a well-rounded classic education in The Netherlands. She attended an academic high school, where she thrived getting a rich language background in Latin, Greek, English, German and French and, of course, her native Dutch. Because she loved children and could easily connect and communicate with them, she furthered her education by training to become a Kindergarten teacher. Reading was her passion. Up until the end of her life she would sing songs, recite poems, quotes and sayings in all of the languages she had learned. As her children were growing up her love for reading was shared with them. She spent many hours reading aloud with her kids flanked around her. Omi left the Netherlands just before World War II began. She had just finished her education and was engaged to her future husband when an opportunity to be sponsored by a great aunt (her mother's sister) and uncle and join them on their return trip to the USA was offered to her. Her future husband was able to join her a year later. Both celebrated their American citizenship. Omi enjoyed her life in the USA. Never forgetting her roots, she took on her adoptive country as her own. Her three daughters, Patricia, Wanda and Mignon, were all raised bi-lingually. It was expected that Dutch should be spoken at home. Her kids would mumble and grumble about that quite often, but were then happy to have received that gift when it came to communicating with Dutch friends and relatives. Her love of family, friends, traveling, nature, classical music and literature, gardening, flowers, and the beautiful view from her home sustained her through good and hard times, happiness, sadness and illness. With her first husband, Lenes, she enjoyed moving to different places in the USA while he finished schooling and military training. Together they bought the home, close to the shores of Puget Sound, where Omi resided for the rest of her life. Lenes passed away in his fifties and Omi found a new love in life with Cliff, a long-time family friend. They married and enjoyed a retirement life with much traveling, art, reading, gardening and the new grandchildren that were beginning to come into their lives. Cliff never had any children of his own and adopted the family easily. The oldest grandchild was constantly on his shoulder as he sang, talked and read to her. Cliff passed after 7 very happy and contented years of marriage to Suzanna. New travel opportunities opened up to Omi when she married Elton. The marriage expanded the family with Elton's two sons, Frank and Ernie. After Elton's retirement they enjoyed their trailer and camped in many places throughout the North and Southwest. Opa Elton, as he was called, liked celebrating birthdays and often brought elaborate birthday cakes for the grandchildren. If they weren't traveling, Omi and Elton's time together often included going dancing with friends and spending a lot of time in the garden raising the most delicious fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers. Omi fought getting old with a passion. After Elton passed away, life became more of a challenge. With failing eyesight, many of the things she had always enjoyed, like , writing and driving, suddenly became very difficult for her. Not being one to feel sorry for herself, she maintained her independence, charm, sense of humor, and continued to travel often taking one of her grandchildren or daughters with her. And, she would let others read the menu to her! Her door was always open for her friends, neighbors and family to visit. No one could refuse her generous hospitality and when it was time to celebrate, she was ready to party. Much of her time was spent caring and cooking for others. She often said, “If only I had a nickel for every meal I've cooked!”... As an immigrant to the USA, Omi was proud of the life she established for her family in the beautiful Northwest. As one who took time to smell the roses and loved to laugh, her art of living was one to be envied; it was a rich full life filled with all of life's emotions, one which always included a positive attitude, much enthusiasm, love and adventures of all kinds. Omi was a true matriarch. She loved being a mother and it was always an adventure for her kids and grandkids to visit her in the country. All, at one time or another, received a generous amount of help from her own “stimulus fund” including an added lesson about life thrown in with a dash of humor. As she became more dependent on outside help to keep up her home and property, her daughters visited regularly to help her. They also took her on trips. She recovered beautifully after a triple-by pass surgery only to fall a few years later which resulted in a broken back. Mom insisted that she would like to remain at home, which presented its own challenges, because none of the daughters lived near her and she needed 24/7 care. Round the clock care was afforded to her with the help of caregivers and daughters Mignon and Pat. Together they made her wish to die at home a reality. The golden years present many challenges that revolve around losing one's independence, failing health and needing assistance of all kinds. The family would especially like to thank Suzanna's caregivers: Debbie, Yolanda and Koral from Heartwarming Care for their attentiveness and affection for her. The support team, Juanita, Larry, Handy Barb, Mike, Scott, and Michael, who kept up her place so beautifully. In addition, the tremendous service provided by the Franciscan Hospice Team and Dr. William Roes, who visited Omi regularly when she could no longer go to the clinic and was totally dependent on others to care for her. The entire team: Suzanne, Rob, Judy, Chris,Tracy, Rachel, Tom and Tanya, were so professional and offered invaluable coaching guidance to her and the caregivers. They truly represent what we referred to as the crown jewel of health care. Omi leaves behind her three daughters, two sons-in-law, two sons and their families by marriage, 6 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. According to her wishes, Omi will be cremated and her remains scattered by her family. In lieu of flowers in memory of Suzanna contributions may be sent to: Franciscan Foundation, PO Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401-1502, Phone: 253.428.8411.