Suzanne Yvonne Nord, 64, passed away June 14 in Portland, Oregon.
She was an avid reader, and devoted to nature and animals. Throughout her life, she sought work that combined her interests, serving as a state and national park employee in Florida, Indiana, and Arizona, as a veterinary assistant, and as a volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center. She had many pets over the years; birds, turtles, several dogs and cats, and a boa constrictor. Buddy was her beloved cat companion for the last 20 years.
Suzanne graduated from South Bend Jackson High School, where she participated in the Junior Achievement TV program “Beyond Our Control.” She attended Indiana University, Bloomington and earned her bachelors degree at South Puget Sound Community College.
She is predeceased by her parents, M.E. Denning in 2005, and Margie L. Denning on May 27 of this year. She is survived by her husband, Steve, of Portland; sisters Julianne (Scott) Dunham of South Bend; Laurie (Jim) Borman of Bloomington, Ind.; and brother Scott (Lori) Denning of Granger.
Also surviving are niece Emily Dunham of South Bend; and nephews Randy (Allison) Becker of Cupertino, Calif.; Daniel (Paige) Borman of Ft. Lauderdale; Josh Borman of Bloomington, Ind.; and Jacob (Chuck) Denning-Deuschle of Denver.

A private memorial service in Portland is planned.
Memorial contributions may be made to your local no-kill shelter or the Multnomah County (Oregon) Public Library.