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Suzan Lake Obituary
1940 ~ 2023
On Monday, May 22, 2023, our beloved mother, teacher Suzan Jacobs Lake passed away peacefully surrounded by her five children and their father at her home of 43 years in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 83.
Suzan Jacobs Lake was born on February 17, 1940, in Idaho Falls, Idaho to James L. and Margaret S. Jacobs. She lived and attended school in Richfield, Elsinore, Provo, and Ogden, Utah. She graduated from Weber College with an Associate Degree of the Arts and Sciences. She graduated from B.Y.U. with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English and French. She also holds a Master's Degree in Education.
Suzan's life work was teaching people. She was both loved and feared by her students. At the age of 21 she started her teaching career at Ben Lomond High School in Ogden after working as a secretary in New York City. Over the 54 years of teaching, she taught in Utah (Provo, Ogden, Salt Lake City), California (Fullerton, Menlo Park, San Leandro, Mountain View), and Paris, France. She retired at 75 from East High School where she taught Basic to AP English grades 9-12 from 1993 to 2015.
Suzan received teaching awards and accolades throughout her career. In 1996 she received the Silver Feather Education Award for "Profound Contributions to Educational Programs". Her most prestigious award was receiving the statewide Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education in 2002. In that same year she was also recognized by Salt Lake City's KSL RADIO's Utah's Teacher of the Week.
Suzan was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In addition to academic teaching, she was also a gifted teacher of gospel doctrine. Over her lifetime she held various positions in the church from the nursery to being in the stake young women's presidency. She was a member of the Yalecrest Second Ward for 45 years which she cherished. Her love of the Savior and membership in the LDS church was her life's compass.
She met her husband (Randall Lake) of 16 years in 1963 while they were both living on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California. Their love for literature and classical music initially brought them together. They courted over the next few years through letters as Suzan was teaching in Menlo Park and Randall was in Colorado for school. She eventually joined him in Paris and taught composition and essay writing at La Sorbonne, Paris. They were married by a civil officiant in the 4th Quarter of Paris in 1971 and had their first daughter Jessica in 1972. Later they were sealed for eternity in the Manti Temple in Utah. In 1973 they moved to University Village-married student housing at the University of Utah, and had Margaret, John, Meredith, and Stuart every two years thereafter.
Suzan was happiest teaching, tutoring, and mentoring her students and members of the community. She loved to swim, most notably on the North Bayfront of Balboa Island, where she taught each of her children to swim. She loved to dance and was a part of multiple dance companies including studying modern dance from Virginia Tanner herself at the McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City. Suzan volunteered as a docent at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and created the "Learn to Look" program as a curriculum for other docents. In her later years she enjoyed taking cruises with her children as the boundaries of a ship were enticing to her to be together as a family and ensured that no one could escape. The trips always consisted of grammar tests, gorging, and copious amounts of swimming.
She is survived by her five children Jessica Lake (Orion Stonebraker), Margaret Lake (Michelle M. Detorie), John J. Lake (Heather B. Lake), Meredith Lake, Stuart W. Lake, and former spouse Randall Lake. Grandchildren Kathryn L. Floor, William W. Floor, Maggie E. Stonebraker, Amelia Lake, Jordan W. Lake, Charles S. Lake, and Ruby Lake. Siblings Margaret Alberta J. Burrows (Robert Burrows, deceased), and James S. Jacobs (Linda M. B. Jacobs). Dog Archibald Lake.
She is preceded in death by her father James L. Jacobs mother Margaret S. Jacobs and sister Kathryn Jacobs.
The viewing will be from 2:00 - 3:45pm on Thursday, June 1st at Yalecrest Ward 1035 S 1800 E, Salt Lake City, Utah followed by the funeral at 4:00pm. If you wish to send flowers for the funeral, please send to 1749 Cornell Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah. For the full obituary and video Zoom link for those unable to attend, please use the following link: https://www.premierfuneral.com/obituaries/Suzan-Lake/#!/Obituary
Burial and interment will take place at 3:00pm on Friday June 2, 2023, in the Mount Pleasant City Cemetery, Utah.
(We, her children, apologize for any grammatical and spelling errors as Mrs. Lake was not available to help us edit this.)
Memories and Condolences
for Suzan Lake
21 Entries
S
June 4, 2024
Mrs. Lake was an outstanding teacher. She was great at pushing her students and instilling a great work ethic in each one. Like a student below, I always meant to reach out or give back to her in some way but didn´t know how to. Thank you so much for being a wonderful teacher at East High, Mrs. Lake.
Anna and Geoffrey Tyler
July 24, 2023
Our condolence to your family. We treasure the two years of wonderful memories from our Salt Lake City stay. Suzan and Randall were a huge part of it. Anna and Geoffrey Tyler
Rachel Fleming
June 7, 2023
In AP English, Mrs. Lake awakened me to the power of words in poetry and modeled a heightened awareness of the surrounding world. I remember her once describing the gleam of the evening sun shining on telephone wires flowing down one of Salt Lake´s steep hills. She captured the moment so purely that the image has stayed with me. And of course, I am a much better writer today because of her.
Kate A
June 2, 2023
Truly, a light in this world! As a teacher she pushed me in the perfect way, and also was a gentle friend who looked me in the eye and really saw me. She was excellent at giving feedback in a way that made you want to be better but didn´t make you feel dumb. You just felt seen. Susan was kind, confident, and funny! I loved the conversations in her class and the way she taught me to think about my thinking. Can´t imagine how many kids she had a positive impact on, and how many kids believed she was in their corner... Because she was. Best of the best: you are so loved, Susan Lake!
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Paige Kimball
June 1, 2023
Suzan had the BEST church lessons I ever experienced: well researched, insightful, an experience studying her handouts in addition to the life of the lesson itself. Delivered with humor and compassion. It was a joy to know her and engage with her in every way.
Megan Nielsen
June 1, 2023
Mrs. Lake was, without a doubt, the teacher who made the biggest impact on me in my life. She was not only kind, she held me accountable to myself and pushed me because she knew what I was capable of--even though I did not believe it about myself. I always meant to get back in touch with her and tell her how much she changed me and how I still think about her every day of my life because of the lessons she taught me. I wish I had done so before now.
Sandra Ameel
June 1, 2023
Suzan will be so deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched. I was a school counselor at East High and worked with Suzan. Both of my daughters had Suzan as a teacher. They adored her. She had a tremendous influence over all of her students, my daughters included. She was a lovely friend to me and all who knew her. She always had a sweet hello and a twinkle in her eye. She brought out the best in her students and everyone she met. She was pure magic...
Richmond Doxey
May 30, 2023
I am so grateful to Mrs. Lake for her teaching over the years. The lessons I learned in her classroom continue to influence me to this day. I count it a great blessing and honor to be counted among her students. May the Lord's peace rest upon her and her family at this time.
Roxanne Tesar (AKA Rocky Cano)
May 29, 2023
I knew her as Miss Jacobs in 1970 at Awalt High School in Mountain View, California. I was lucky enough to have her both as my favorite English teacher and as my supportive friend. Her genuine caring, wise understanding, and sweet sense of humor offered me the gentle guiding hand I most needed at the time. High school can be a confusing period in a young person´s life and I am forever grateful that God arranged it so this dedicated, inspiring teacher and wonderful friend showed up in my life exactly when she did. I consider her presence in my life a blessing, and her memory will always be a treasure!
Marjean Jones Livingston
May 29, 2023
Suzan was my high school English teacher in Mountain View CA. She had a huge influence on my love of literature. I was a very young new bride in married student housing at the U of Utah when she turned up in my church ward. I remember how odd it felt to have my teacher as a peer in the neighborhood and church. And then how wonderful it was to have her as a friend and see little Jessica and the other babies as they came along. She is a much loved treasure and will be sorely missed by all. Condolences to her children and grandchildren and all her loved and knew her.
Micah Lawrence (Merrill-Johnson)
May 27, 2023
Ms Lake was the very best. She was firm enough that you respected her. But tender enough you knew she was a safe person if you ever were in need. I was a TA for her class and she would always ask me first if I had other things I needed to do before helping her with grading or other tasks. She had a way of making things interesting and exciting. I remember her telling us about going out with friends and acting out different personas at the restaurant something I always wanted to try, but never had the guts to. In college, when I was going through a time of personal trail, she was one of the first people I called to meet up for lunch to talk it over with because I knew she would have a great insight. She was a great example of being a whole person that was comfortable in their skin, and I loved it. So grateful for her!
Charsti Merrill
May 27, 2023
I am so sad to see this. I taught with Suzan at East for 13 years. In fact she helped hire me. Suzan was the absolute best of the best. I loved her greeting "How ya doing darling?" I loved her bright colored sweaters and how she wore Birkenstock sandals all winter without socks. She was always concerned about her students. All three of my kids were privileged to call her their teacher. My youngest, Micah was her aide. They adored her, as did I. Deepest condolences to your family. She was an absolute gem of a human being. I will miss seeing her at Jolleys. Much love, Charsti Merrill
Daniel Diaz
May 27, 2023
She helped me a lot in AP English and my personal statements for college. She had this fierceness that was contagious. It´s thanks to her that I was able to get scholarships. I´m thankful to have met her and be taught by her.
Boone Colegrove
May 27, 2023
David Tanner and I (Boone Colegrove) were privileged to be Suzan's Home Teachers. Later I became her mentor. What a blessing it was to associate with her. As a fellow teacher, I admired her. She made a lasting impression of goodness and love for me.
Becky Johns
May 27, 2023
I count it as one of life's great blessings to have known Susan over the years. She spread her light to all she met, and taught.
Syndi
May 27, 2023
I met Suzan when i was a waitress/carhop at Hires Big H, I looked forward to seeing her on a weekly basis, Suzan was so kind and giving, she never missed a birthday, if she couldn´t hand deliver my birthday card she would always mail it. I will truly miss this beautiful lady. I am so blessed to have known her and call her my friend.
Kathryn Fowles
May 27, 2023
Suzan was a dear friend & mentor. I will so miss her always smiling optimistic greetings & esp her hugs. She was a wise soul & such a great example to all. Her strength in the face of great problems was insurmountable. One of my most favorite days was one where Suzan & I went to the Temple to see the "new" endowment - first time for us both with the "new." After, we ate in the cafeteria & shared our impressions. It was a wonderful day. Now she´s teaching & loving & spreading joy to millions. Love & blessings, dear friend - kathryn fowles (Keri, Tim & Lacy)
Monty Kaufusi
May 27, 2023
Mrs. Lake...
She was my high school mom. She was the reason I graduated. My first time skipping her class, Mrs. Lake asked a classmate for my number. I didn't have a cell but my classmates knew who I was with and called them and then asked for me.
All she said was get to my class and bring me a diet coke...
Lake was the GOAT.
Sharon
May 26, 2023
I taught with Suzan at East High for many years. She was an excellent teacher who loved her students. The main thing I remember about Suzan was her sense of humor. She seemed to always have us laughingly about something. Truly an amazing lady!
Joyce Carlisle
May 26, 2023
Condolences to the family of Suzan. Our hearts are with all of you.
Kristen Palmer
May 26, 2023
A bright, warm light has left all who had the privilege of knowing and loving our brilliant, witty, Susan. Heaven has gained a precious angel.
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