Suzanne Rees Mitchell

1968 - 2024

June 21, 1968--December 6, 2024

Suzanne Rees Mitchell "Sooz" passed on December 6, 2024, of natural causes. Beloved daughter of Lynne N Mitchell and the late George B Mitchell, she is survived by her brothers, Douglas (Berret) and Carter (Katie) and nieces Marin, Sasha, and Lauren and nephew Connor. At age 5 Sooz was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia which she survived although it left her with a lifetime of health issues.

Born in Washington, DC Sooz was a longtime resident of Chevy Chase, MD. She graduated from the Holton-Arms School and Clemson University with a degree in Information Technology. Following her December graduation Sooz traveled to Australia where she climbed Ayres Rock and to New Zealand where she bungy jumped off a bridge. Her early career was with computer companies. In 1994 she joined the Department of Defense School system and moved to Vicenza, Italy where she lived for four years. During that time her territory included all of Italy and at one point Turkey and Bahrain. She traveled extensively in Europe during her time based in Italy. Returning to the US in 1998, Sooz worked as a computer contractor for several companies most recently for CDG Advantage, Inc. at the National Security Agency. Other travel destinations included the Galapagos Islands, Africa and Alaska as well as many parts of the United States. Photography was a deep interest and her photographs of places she traveled and people she met offer a fascinating encapsulation of her life and travels.

Sooz was a contributor and supporter of church mission activities. With St. Columba's outreach project, she went to Honduras three times; was a leader of the St. Columba Appalachian Project (SCAP) helping youth rebuild homes; traveled to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina to help rebuild an Episcopal church there and was a many-year supporter of the I Have a Dream project at St. Columba's. During that time, she tutored, drove students to horseback riding, tubing and many other educational and fun activities, Sooz continued to be in touch with several of the Dreamers as she called them throughout college and post- college years. More recently she was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Norwood. At one-point Sooz attended Wesley Theological Seminary part time earning a certificate of Theological Education by Extension Education for Ministry administered by the School of Theology, the University of the South.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday February 17 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, Norwood, followed by a reception at the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Healing Prayer Ministry at St. John's Church Norwood, 6701 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.