Suzanne S. (Deane) Ruppert

After a long and arduous battle against tonsil cancer, without complaint, Suzie passed away on January 13, 2013. She was born in Anacortes on June 2, 1953 to Lavern and Ila June Deane at the old hospital. Joining two older sisters they lived on 12th street in Anacortes until 1958 when her father was building their house on Lake Erie. Moving to the “lake” with her sisters and younger brother, Greg, Suzie set out on many adventures with her neighbor and lifelong best friend, Nel Dunton. Her grandmother, Tillie Deane lived at the end of the lake and she spent much time there with Greg and their cousins. The building of “forts” in the woods, swimming, and playing with her friends was much of the enjoyment of Suzie’s childhood. She started school at Fidalgo Elementary in 1958 and went on to graduate in 1971 from Anacortes High School. Work always played a big part in her life. Suzie picked strawberries as a child and always had part-time jobs. She saved and bought her own cars and had spending money for college. After high school she attended college at Western Washington University and Skagit Valley College. Suzie married Pat Lowry in 1977 and her daughter, Erin was born in 1979. In 1977 she started, owned and operated “Suzie’s Kitchen” restaurant at 7th and Commercial in Anacortes. Selling the restaurant in two years and later divorcing in 1981, Suzie started work part-time at the Anacortes office of Puget Power. During her 30 year career with Puget Power (later Puget Sound Energy) she was a ground breaking and much praised employee. She was the first female meter reader in Anacortes and the first wire helper in Whatcom County. Suzie was the third female wire apprentice in the company and the third female journeyman wireman in the company. In 1995 she transferred to System Operations as the second female to do so and stayed in that capacity until her death. Suzie loved her job at System Operations.She was very careful and detailed about her work and enjoyed the camaraderie with the field crews. She made many friends there and they continued to support her during her illness. In 1999 Suzie met and married Mark Ruppert. They remodeled their house in North Bend and she lived there until her passing. Suzie loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables and was particularly proud of “her yard” and received many compliments from passersby. She loved to travel and had made it to many countries. Suzie always thought of Skagit County as her home and owned property on her beloved Guemes Island for over thirty years. She loved the beach and hunting for agates. Suzie loved the sea and would kayak for hours with the seals. She loved bicycling and riding her “Yamhahopper” with her sister, Sheryl. Suzie loved crabbing and clamming and making fresh chowder. She was an excellent cook and particularly baking pies and cookies.Suzie was preceded in death by her mother, Ila June and her sister, Sheryl Jones. She is survived by her husband Mark Ruppert of North Bend; father, Lavern Deane of Guemes Island; her daughter, Erin Lowry of Renton; granddaughters, Kyndahl Peterson and Kamiryn Peterson; step-daughter, Alice Ruppert of Duvall; step-son, Mike Ruppert of Denver; granddaughter, Sophia Ruppert; grandson, Samuel Ruppert; brother, Greg Deane; and sister, Diane Rosellini; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins. A special thanks to Suzie’s cousin, Kaaren Malson and husband, Jim for their unfailing love and support. Also to Suzie’s best friend, Nel Krueger and husband, Mark and her whole extended family, whose love, prayers, and support have just meant everything to her. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Anacortes Christian Reformed Church, 1019-10th Street in Anacortes, followed by a reception at the Croatian Cultural Center, 801-5th Street in Anacortes. Private family interment will be held at Edens Cemetery on Guemes Island. Memorials may be made to Anacortes Relay for Life, 13337 Deane Drive, Anacortes, WA, 98221.Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Suzie, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

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