Mary Suzanne Haight

Mary Suzanne Haight, who went by "Si" as a young woman and Suzanne from the mid-1980's on, died in the company of her family on September 29, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington, following a short illness. Suzanne was born at McGee Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 26, 1941, to Virlea Idress Horton Woods and Robert Eugene Murphy. She was adopted at birth by Oliver William Woods and raised by him and her mother.

Suzanne had a happy and enjoyable childhood, living her first 13 years in beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her parents and older sister Elizabeth "Betty" Joan Woods. In 1954, her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Four years later, they relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Suzanne graduated from Wyoming High School in May, 1959. She attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, for two years then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing where she was a member of "Triple Trio" a group of nine singing nursing students that recorded an album. After graduating in August 1963 she worked her first year as a visiting nurse in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Suzanne's childhood dream was to work in Alaska and in 1964 she accepted the position of Public Health Nurse II in Juneau. She declined a transfer to Fairbanks in 1965, deciding to remain in Juneau. Following service as a Public Health nurse, she worked as a staff nurse at the old St. Anne's Hospital. She married Richard "Dick" Edwin Haight in March 1965 and they settled in Auke Bay, Alaska. By June 1969 they were the proud parents of 3 bouncing boys. She and Dick divorced in 1984.

Following a hiatus to start a family, Suzanne embarked in the early 1970's on a 20 plus year career with the Juneau School District as a school nurse. Her first post was the newly-opened Auke Bay Elementary, followed by long tenures at Capital, Harborview and Gastineau Elementary Schools. She considered all the students who visited her office "my kids" and several generations of children who passed through her nurse's office knew and loved her. She also moonlighted at an alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Juneau and other nursing jobs in the community.

Her greatest earthly love was basking in the presence of her children and grandchildren. During her retirement years, her strongest pursuit was creating many beautifully designed photo scrapbooks for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed singing in several Juneau performances, contra dancing, dog walking, and entertaining friends in her home with elaborate themed parties. Suzanne was often accompanied on walks with one of the elderly dogs she adopted and lovingly cared for, and she grieved intensely when each died. Most of all, she marveled at the beauty of life and love.

Suzanne had an appreciation for the world's religions and found validity in all of them. She attended Aldersgate Methodist Church, enjoyed singing in the choir and attending Brunch Bunch each week. She loved her community and was an active member of Pioneers of Alaska, as well as Eastern Star, Church Women United, Friends of Recycling, and volunteering at the Glory Hall. She was involved in the Singles group for many years and was well-known for her elaborate theme parties.

Suzanne was predeceased by her parents, sister Betty Goodwin, niece Lynn Borgman, nephew James Goodwin, grandsons Andrew Haight, Gabriel Kennedy and Theo Kennedy, and granddaughter Savannah Cayce. She is survived by her three sons Russell Haight (Tonia), Robert Haight (Victoria "Tory") and Glenn Haight (Sunny); grandchildren Kyle Petersen, Kristin Kibby, Seth Cayce, Jocelyn Cayce Collier (Fred), Ben Haight (Cassandra), Allison and Steven Ireland-Haight, Antonio "Tino" and Christian Kensinger, and Samantha and Ruchi Haight; great-grandchildren Michael Walker, Landen and Monroe Petersen, and nephews Jim Borgman (Susan) and Jeff Goodwin (Karen).

At her request, her family will host a celebration of life next May, venue TBD, and all are welcome. She asked that any donations be given to your favorite charity. Please send condolences to P.O. Box 34983, Juneau, AK 99803.