- Date Of Birth: March 30, 1945
- Date Of Death: August 27, 2018
- State: Arizona
Susan Jane Peterson of Scottsdale passed away on Monday, August 27, 2018, at the age of 73.
Sue was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and spent the majority of her childhood in Hamilton, Montana. This is where she met and married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Garvin Peterson. The two were married in 1963, and their oldest daughter was born a year later. They moved their family to Minneapolis where they brought their 2nd and 3rd children into the world – both sons. In 1973 they relocated their family to Scottsdale, where Garvin and Sue have lived in the same home ever since. Their youngest two daughters were born in 1977 and 1979 completing their family, and what a beautiful family they were. Motherhood was Sue’s calling above all else.
In the 70’s and 80’s, Sue was a member of the Scottsdale Lazy J’s along with her sister and best friend, Mary Jo Millage. She met her closest friends through this organization. Sue was a life member of the Lazy J’s, serving as Parada del Sol Dance Chairman in 1981 and as Lazy J President in 1983. The fun and laughter these women shared over the years is immeasurable.
When her youngest daughters became teenagers, Sue began her career as a leisure travel consultant, a longtime ambition. In 1992, Sue joined Carefree Travel (now Frosch) where she was still working. She was passionate about travel and felt privileged to arrange dream vacations for her clients and their families. She treated each of her clients as a member of her own family and made certain their vacations became their happiest lifelong memories.
Sue and Garvin enjoyed traveling immensely. They traveled the world, but Sue’s favorite travel destinations by far were Mexico and Hawaii. Both tropical. Both relaxing. Both incredibly fun.
Sue loved to read, shop, travel, and sip prosecco. She possessed uncanny wisdom and practical sense. Sue always made others feel welcome in her presence, a gift she learned through her bond with her own mother.
Over the last six years, Sue’s granddaughters, Juliana and Emi, became the light in her life. Her natural gifts as a mother expanded in her role as a grandmother. Ultimately, her joy in life came from taking care of those she loved: her five children and their families – Lauri Hannah (Chris), Todd Peterson (Dawn w/ Grant, Trey, and Shelby), Bryce Peterson, Alicia Baskel (Marc w/ Juliana and Emi), and Elizabeth Peterson (Christopher Andert); her nephew Gregory Millage; her father Lennie Smith; her dearest friend and sister Mary Jo Millage (Greg); and, of course, her soulmate and husband of 55 years Garvin Peterson. Sue was a matriarch for her family, teaching through her own loving example that family is the most important thing and that family gives us strength. Through her love and commitment, she created a powerful bond that will hold her family together always.
