Sue A. Rankin

1931 - 2016

Sue A. Rankin

May 4, 1931 - April 13, 2016

Salem - A long time Salem resident, Sue A Rankin passed away peacefully on April 13, 2016. Sue was a loving mother, grandmother, wife and friend, full of fun and yet serious about giving back to her community, improving the environment and supporting education. She was a person who lived life with intent. She will be clearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Sue was the fourth child born to Charlie and Nell McElhinny in Salem, Oregon, May 4th, 1931. She graduated from Salem High School, attended Willamette University and transferred her last year to Oregon College of Education (OCE) to obtain her teaching credentials. After graduating, Sue married Bruce Rankin, moved to Pullman, Washington and taught 5th grade while Bruce finished Veterinary School at WSU. They then moved to Delaware where Sue taught elementary school while Bruce served as a veterinarian in the US Air force . In 1957 Sue and Bruce moved back to Salem to raise their family. She taught school until until they started their veterinary practice in 1960. Thereafter she was the office manager until retirement.

Sue was married to Bruce Rankin, her self proclaimed best friend, for 63 years this June and together they had three girls - Katy, Julie, and Nancy. She was an amazing mother and wife who had a great sense of humor, was quick to laugh, listened well and was always interested in her kids' latest news. Sue loved music and had a beautiful voice, adored her dogs and cats, reading, travel, the outdoors, especially the Metolius River area. She supported diversity, attending an anthropology class at the state prison, teaching parenting classes in the community and at Sprague high school, hiring Chemawa school students, and helping provide work to those in need or a place to stay for friends or travelers. She was concerned about the environment and studied the eroding dunes, supported wise urban infrastructure, was an early recycler, worked on passing the Oregon Bottle Bill and the Don't be a Litter Bug campaign. She was a lifelong learner and active in many groups. Her favorites were Study club, Bridge club, Terrace Dance Club, exercise group and the Waldo Lake Camping group. We will miss her unconditional love, zest for life, and streak of sweet mischief.

She is survived by her husband Bruce Rankin; her daughters and son-in-laws Nancy Coltom & Bill Pritchard, Julie and Jim Clark, Katy and Jim Vigeland; and five grandchildren, Kelsi, Matthew, Madison, Haley and Erik.

We wish to thank Michelle Nixon and the staff at Harmony House, Capital Manor Memory Care Staff and Willamette Valley Hospice for the loving care they gave her.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Illahe Hills Country Club, 2276 Country Club Drive S., Salem, OR 97302. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Alzheimer's Association or Humane Society. Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.