About
Susie Hayes Obituary
A true force of nature, with boundless energy, love, enthusiasm and creativity, Susie was a beacon of light to so many around her and will be missed immensely. Nothing in the world meant more to Susie than her family, friends and adventure. Susie and her husband, Peter Leinenbach, shared a special love of travel, adventure, friendship, fun, and family.
Born in Athol, Massachusetts, and raised in Wayland, Massachusetts, Susie was the first of eight children born to Gladys J. and John W. Hayes. Susie's early adventures included helping raise, educate, and share in mischief and fun with her seven younger siblings. Susie harnessed her energy and star power into a successful turn in theater at Wayland High School, taking her drama troupe to victory at the Massachusetts State Drama Finals in 1981 and 1982, and being named to the All Star cast both years. Susie went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Miami in 1986, and launched her career in software sales in Boston, MA and later in Atlanta, GA.
Susie spent two years traveling the world, following the snow, including New Zealand, Fiji, Europe, and Africa, in order to enjoy her love of snowboarding and other adventures. It was during these travels that Susie began exploring a new career path in natural medicine and healing that would help shape the following two and a half decades of her life.
Susie settled in the Seattle area and subsequently earned a Master of Science in Acupuncture from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA in 1998. Susie channeled her energy and zeal into a successful and enriching career in healing and wellness as an acupuncturist and practitioner of Eastern Medicine. After completing an extended residency, Susie opened her own successful Acupuncture practice, Energetic Medicine PLLC, in 2004. This began her 20-year journey healing and helping countless people in the Seattle area and beyond, including turning her attention in recent years toward teaching the next generation.
Susie is survived by her loving husband, Peter Leinenbach, of Seattle, WA; her mother, Gladys (McDonald) Hayes, of Holliston, MA; and seven siblings: Daniel Hayes and his wife Marcela (Yarmouth, MA), Theresa Hayes Harmon (Norfolk, MA), Kathleen Hayes Prior (Sutton, MA), Mia Hayes DeSimone and her husband Frank (Holliston, MA), Peter Hayes and his wife Sarah (Grosse Pointe Park, MI), Kevin Hayes and his wife Stephanie (Westborough, MA), and John Hayes and his wife Katy (Newton, MA). Susie is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews, who loved and cherished their special time with Auntie Susie; her beloved cat Babar; and her many close friends who felt like family. Susie is preceded in death by her father John W. Hayes.
A primary celebration of Susie's life will be held in the Seattle area on April 20th and a secondary celebration of life will be held in the Boston area in early May. Details are as follows:
Seattle - April 20, 2024
Location: Seattle Unity; 200 8th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Doors open at 1:00 PM; service begins at 1:30 PM.
Boston - May 4, 2024
Location: Warren Conference Center & Inn; 529 Chestnut St., Ashland, MA 01721
Doors open at 10:00 AM; service begins at 10:30 AM.
For any who would like to make a donation in Susie's honor, please consider a donation to The Seattle Area Feline Rescue (https://seattleareafelinerescue.org) or to The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (https://ocrahope.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
B. V.
October 31, 2025
I did not know of Susie´s passing till today, I was looking to recommend her to a family member. I haven´t seen her in four years, and didn´t know she was going through Cancer. I first met Susie when she opened her location in UW. She always made me feel seen, and understood. Shes a beautiful person and she loved her "moxa" ... will be burning some in her memory.
Lynn S.
March 17, 2025
I just found out about Susie. She is a gentle, kind human who helped me when I was in a tough place. She will be missed. I send care and support to Peter.
Vi and Naya
November 19, 2024
Never will I ever enjoy a ginger chew without thinking of Susie! Both my daughter and I enjoyed the benefit of Susie´s profound knowledge of acupuncture, and both benefitted incredibly. We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of her passing. Though much belated, our sincere condolences to her husband, family and friends.
Devi Edisen
October 2, 2024
Susie was one of my favorite people. I´m so sad to hear of her passing - far too soon. She is indeed a star and a light - a gift of spirit and healing to all who knew her. May her memory be forever a blessing.
Devi E.
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Eric
August 15, 2024
Suzie's kind and gentle care changed my life for the better. She will be truly missed.
Molly Wolniewicz
July 12, 2024
I just looked up Susie's information to share with a friend and was very sad to learn that she has passed away. I just felt compelled to write something as she was profoundly influential to me when I met her after a car accident. I was young and didn't know a ton about acupuncture/health and she taught me so much and was just this bright, compassionate, knowledge LIGHT. To this day I use acupuncture ( I moved out of state) and am grateful for all of the knowledge she cemented for me about health. I will consider Susie an angel now and look for her in the little things. Such a gift to have known her and learned from her. With love- Molly
Thi NP
June 21, 2024
I was a student of Susie, and that first quarter was a nightmare! She was so demanding in every aspects of patient care, everything required so much precision, and there were so many points to needle! Usually, I felt confident about my clinical thinking, but Susie questioned everything I thought I knew. With her enthusiasm, she filled me with more questions than I cared to answer. I thought I would never want to have another hour with Susie until it came to choose our supervisor for another quarter, and I had to sign up for another quarter with Susie. Even though she shared so openly all her vast knowledge, I hadn't learned enough. I'm deeply saddened to learn of her passing. I didn't even know she was struggling with cancer. She taught me to question what I think I know. She often says, Western Medicine tells you the HOW, but Eastern Medicine shows you the WHY. She kept pushing for us to understand the WHY of things, WHY this point, WHY that technique, or WHY NOT moxa? She really loved moxa! Not many of my other teachers emphasized moxa, and because of Susie, that I think I might have loved moxa. I wish I had a chance to properly thank Susie for being that fierce teacher who wouldn't back down, who wouldn't make it easy, just to lift us up. You'll be missed, Susie!
Thomas J. Etges, MD
June 3, 2024
Energetic, giving, kind, willing to go the extra mile, a consummate educator willing to share her 'clinical Pearls'--Susie was open to including others in healthcare to help spread the benefits of acupuncture. In the process, she gave so much of herself for her patients and her colleagues. "Standing on the shoulders of giants"--Susie was, will forever, be one of those giants in my list of Master Clinicians-Mentors this world so desperately needs.
Jessica Swan
May 19, 2024
I'm so sad to learn of Susie's passing. She was a wonderful acupuncturist and healer. I met her in 2019 when I was really struggling and she helped me through so much over a 4 year period. She will be dearly missed.
Miranda Taylor
May 17, 2024
I will always remember Susie's smile and excitement when I hosted "her" Dr. Tran's workshop for the first time. She helped me out with a difficult patient case many years later. I always think of her when I "open the Chong". So grateful to have had her in my life.
Pam Fusco
May 16, 2024
Sue and I did a good deal of dancing and singing in high-school. Our energetic and fun-loving personalities matched. Dancing and singing with Sue brings back some happy memories that I will treasure forever
My prayers go out to all of Sue's family.
Kathy Nessler
May 8, 2024
I am saddened to find out that Susie passed away. I googled her name because I was going to refer one our patient to her since she did such an amazing job treating me for my pinched nerve with acupuncture
. She was so sweet and kind. I will never forget her laugh and her smile. I was in so much pain when I was being treated by her and she was so kind and caring. What an amazing woman she was.
Lisa Jane Jacobsen
May 3, 2024
Susan was one of my closest childhood friends. She was a beautiful soul who was so intelligent, so funny, creative, kind, energetic, and talented. She was always willing to try anything and always had great new ideas. She could sing, dance, act - she could do pretty much anything she set her mind to doing. She was also a loyal friend and a great listener, and everyone wanted to be around her. I´m a better person for having known her. I wish she had been in this world a little longer.
Carol Shisler
April 26, 2024
Susie was a beautiful loving sparkle of a person and I´m so sorry to hear that she has left us. She was my acupuncturist when I lived in Seattle. It was always a joy to come in for an appointment and see her. She was so much more than my clinical practitioner. I will remember her as a friend and I feel so lucky to have known her.
Lindsay Johnson
April 22, 2024
Susie was my acupuncturist for 2 years and provided excellent holistic care, as well as naturally became like a "life coach" to me throughout our treatment sessions. Susie was so wise and always had the best advice. She was a beacon of hope and made me feel like she could somehow see into the future and so confidently knew everything was going to work out as it should. I will greatly miss her bubbly, energetic, positive, inspiring, intelligent, wise, and compassionate spirit.
Chaiya Sherman
April 20, 2024
Susie was one of my first clinical supervisors at Bastyr and I never failed to learn something from her. She was so fire-y! So passionate about sharing the wisdom she had learned from her own teachers. Her dedication to her students, the profession, and to teaching will be missed. Thank you Susie. Your memory shall be a blessing.
Jessica Bridges
April 20, 2024
I first met Susie when I was 16 as she was close friends with my late step mom, Lillian. Shortly after we met, I was asked to be her office manager. That was about the same time she had her grand opening of Energetic Medicine. I honestly knew very little about running a busy clinic but Susie's firey teaching and attention to every detail guided me quickly into the role. She taught me not just how to run and operate a clinic but more importantly, how to help people heal. Eleven years later, I would graduate Bastyr and become a physican motivated in a large part by Susie and the years I spent working at her office. Accupuncture certainly was her life calling and passion and it echoed in the countless lives she touched...
Stephen Lesefko
April 19, 2024
Susie was a close family friend whom we have known since the early 2000's. We first met her through her work as an acupuncturist and her friendship with our mother, Lillian Pearl Bridges. Over the years she would see us as patients at the drop of the hat and was always there whenever anybody needed her. Her warm energy and vibrant personality will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Love, Stephen, Kelsey, Alex Lesefko
Hal Bridges
April 18, 2024
I first met Susie in the early 2000´s through another TCM practitioner. We all sat at the same table at a Bastyr/New Years event - I was instantly drawn to Susie´s energy and enthusiasm. Susie was studying and by then a practicing acupuncturist. She would go on to open a clinic in Kirkland where I lived. My wife (and friend of Susie´s) told her how handy I was and soon I was gladly helping this young lady with infectious enthusiasm transform a space to help others. In exchange, Susie treated me and several family members in the years to come. I learned through getting to know Susie just how appropriate the name Energetic Medicine would become for her clinic. Over time, life´s paths would take us in different directions, but we would easily reconnect on several occasions down the road. Susie was a caring friend and a compassionate healer. She will be missed.
- Hal Bridges
Jane Gilbertson-Lalonde
April 16, 2024
I remember her in high school. She could rock a pair of overalls, sing with passion, act with conviction, and was always inclusive and kind. Her energy was infectious and she was one of the "good ones" that was loved by all.
John Frostad
April 12, 2024
I first met Susie when she was a student at Bastyr in the class behind me. I remember working as a teacher's aid and tutor helping her with her acupuncture point locations. She was an invested and very competent student.
She and I later worked together on the Acupuncture Association of Washington board. She was a dedicated and active member of the board. She and I worked as partners on the huge undertaking of hosting the final NW Acupuncture Conference to be held. It was a huge success for the association in raising funds and well-received by the acupuncture community.
Susie made a lot of contributions to the acupuncture profession beyond being a great practitioner. She was a gift to the acupuncture community in many ways.
Liz Artola
April 11, 2024
I have taken several acupuncture continuing education classes with Susie which is how I first met her before also becoming one of her patients.
Her passion, depth of knowledge, enthusiasm, dedication and boundless energy to teach our medicine to fellow acupuncturist has been such a gift. I am forever indebted to her for her openness to always share her pearls of wisdom with me.
I will also deeply miss her compassion, humor, laughter and motherly love to me as her patient and colleague. I feel super lucky to have known her. Sending love, hugs and peace to her husband Peter and her family.
Dawn L Hassel
April 11, 2024
I worked with Susie for many years. She was fiercely dedicated to her patients and her practice. She was such a positive force of nature .. I feel honored to have know her. May her memory be as bright as she was in life.
Dawn Hassel
D. Hassel Financial Inc
Sandy Voit
April 10, 2024
I met Susie when she applied for admission to the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program at Bastyr University. Susie was a dynamic force as a student serving on the student government and advocating for students. She was always supportive of others and of the university. She was a shining light. May her memory be a blessing to all of us.
Sandy Voit, former Dean of Students, Bastyr University
Nicole Hollinsworth
April 6, 2024
I started seeing Susie for acupuncture because a good friend of mine recommended her to me. Both my friend and I continued to meet with her for 6 years. In different ways and for different reasons, she was, for both of us, a cheerleader and profound keeper of hope. Susie was warm (I’ll never forget her greeting when you entered her office), vibrant, determined, opinionated, funny, and kind.
I’ll always remember her sage advice to wear a warm scarf and good socks (in every season except summer) and to drink bone broth. I’m sending peace and condolences to her family and friends.
Kristi Dyes
April 5, 2024
I am so sad to hear this! Susie was my accupuncturist for the last half of 2023. Her treatments worked wonders for my cancer-related chemo side effects. My condolences to her friends, family and other loved ones. She will truly be missed.
Bonnie Koenig
April 4, 2024
A fellow acupuncturist, I often did locum coverage for Susie. I also took CEU classes she taught and was a great admirer of her knowledge and confidence in the medicine. She had such boundless energy. She set up seminars with Dr. Tran that had to have taken so much work and then saw far more patients each week than I could ever hope to see. I have long since moved out of the area and I am glad that she continued teaching. She had a gift for that. My thoughts to her family and close friends.
Kelly Miller
April 3, 2024
I knew Susie when we were in acupuncture school. She had soooo much enthusiasm for life. It was inspiring and invigorating to be around her. I know she had that effect on everyone she met. How she came up with that energy every day had to have been supernatural. I feel so fortunate to have known her.
Risë Finkle
April 2, 2024
Susie was an amazing woman, strong, passionate, talented, smart, spirited, compassionate. She introduced me to the I Ching, and was always there when I needed her, even sending a bouquet of flowers from across the country. She will be so very much missed.
Jean Giglio
March 29, 2024
Susie and I were 1 year, 5 days apart and the oldest in our families. As cousins, we have memories that span back to early childhood and enjoyed our family reunions every other year. Susie was a force and will be terribly missed. I hope she knew how much people really cared and loved her.
Riley Newman
March 28, 2024
Susie taught me that I am perfect just the way I am. I always used to say in my sessions "I know I´m not perfect but" and she would always remind me "yes you are perfect! You were born perfect!"
Riley Newman
March 28, 2024
Susie was my acupuncturist. I was so nervous to make my appointment as I had never tried it before but desperately needed something in my life. After the initial appointment I saw her for two years. She became a mother like figure for me, I am 27. She gave me so much inspiration for my life and has a huge part in how I see the world now. I could go on but know Susie always made me feel so warm and always inspired me.
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