Suzanne J. Stevens

Suzanne J. Stevens, 79, widow of Leland R. Steve Stevens of Green Street Ipswich, died at home peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Sue was born on October 6, 1934, in Salem and was raised in Peabody by her late parents Henry W. VanDyke and Avis (Morine) VanDyke. She was a 1954 graduate of Peabody High School and graduated from Nursing School at Melrose Wakefield Hospital in 1957. As a young woman Sue was an avid equestrian and could frequently be seen on her horse Sunny. Married in 1957, the family moved from Danvers, to Ipswich in 1965 where they raised their family in the antique house they restored on High Street. As a Registered Nurse, Sue was employed for ten years by the Visiting Nurse Association, a job she loved. She was later employed by Dr. Hart Achenbach in Danvers and then Dr. Peter Madras at Beverly Hospital. Sue had a big heart and was always reaching out to help people in any way she could. Her home and table were always open to anyone. Sue loved her garden, collecting antiques and travel. She had a large circle of friends and family who will miss her always. She is survived by her two sons, Scott W. Stevens and his wife Ericka of Chicago, IL, Leland M. Stevens and his companion Sally Longwell of Tyngsboro; a daughter, Virginia Ginny L. Stevens of Ipswich; five grandchildren, Dominic, Jaime and Joe Baraiolo all of Ipswich, Mathew Stevens, Churchville, NY and her beloved Timothy Stevens of Tewksbury; a sister Carolyn Spencer of Peabody; two brothers, Walter Buddy VanDyke of Billerica, Doug VanDyke of Ossipee, NH and many nieces and nephews far and wide. She was the sister of the late Bruce VanDyke formerly of Bow, NH and late Henry VanDyke of PA. Private funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to a charity of ones choice or Professional Center for Child Development, 32 Osgood St., Andover, MA 01810. To send a condolence to her family please visit www. whittier-porter.com.