Obituary of Suzanne Ballard Baldridge

      Suzanne Baldridge, 88, passed away June 5, 2021. Suzanne was born October 6, 1932 in Kansas City, Kansas to Mark and Ethel Ballard. Suzanne is survived by sons Mark (Kathy), Gary (Mary), Scott (Jena), daughter Janine (Suzy Esposito) and nine grandchildren. Suzanne’s beloved husband of 65 years, Porter, passed away in 2019. Suzanne’s early childhood was spent in Baldwin City, Kansas. The family moved to California where Suzanne graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, and Pomona College in Claremont. Suzanne and Porter met in an English summer school class in 1948 and were married in 1954. They moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1966. Suzanne enjoyed working in education; first volunteering at Hudtloff Junior High and then as a full time aide at Lochburn Junior High School where she retired from the Clover Park School District after 25 years. Suzanne spent many years interviewing prospective students interested in international relations at Pomona. Suzanne and Porter spent many years traveling throughout North America, Europe and Australia/NZ; she particularly enjoyed ship and ferry cruises through fjords, rivers, canals and oceans. Colonial Williamsburg was one of her favorite places and they took many trips with groups from there and generously supported the educational outreach. Suzanne loved to garden and grow vegetables, read all genres of books, and played beautiful music on the piano and organ. Suzanne participated in many women’s groups throughout the years including PEO Chapter EM (44 years), Christian Women’s Club and the Red Hat Society. In addition to raising four children, Suzanne actively supported family members in San Diego with aging and health issues. For example, Suzanne called her mother every morning for 35 years (no matter where she was in the world) after her father passed in 1969. The family would like to thank Suzanne’s caregivers who provided excellent care and companionship the past 5 years - Nichole, Jerri, Holly and Merry as well as Avian Adult Family Home. Mom, we miss you