Suzanne H. (Larochelle) Palmer
2/25/1934 - 11/21/2020 86 yrs
Suzanne “Sukey” was the fourth daughter of Lorne and Priscilla Hooker LaRochelle born in Portland, ME and raised in South Portland, ME, Long Island, ME and Tamworth, NH. She was a member of the Order of Rainbow for Girls, graduated from Skowhegan High School, attended Westbrook Junior College, and later trained at Thayer Hospital in Waterville, ME as an X-ray technician.
Suzanne had three beloved sons with her former husband of 32 years and moved to Westport in 1963. She was a Pack 63 Cub Scout Den Mother and a faithful member of Westport United Methodist Church. For half a century, Suzanne was a lively member of the church’s choir, gracing the congregation with her sweet voice. Suzanne was an active member and volunteer of the Westport Historical Society and the Civil War Trust. She held the position of president of her family’s Hooker Howe Costume Company in Haverhill, MA from 1988-1991 affording her the opportunity to reminisce about finally reaching the age to be able to paint the barrels on the toy guns among other things. Suzanne also enjoyed her role as a customer service representative for Lapointe Insurance.
Suzanne had a deep and abiding love for her sons, their wives, and was blessed with eight grandchildren. They were her life and she sends hugs and kisses to all. Later in life, the late Frederic Warden and Suzanne found each other and had many happy years together.
Suzanne’s passions were manyfold. She cherished her civil war treasures, especially Abraham Lincoln, as evidenced by the nods to his legacy found throughout her home. Suzanne relished reading a good mystery book, had an affinity for all things history, and was committed to the preservation of our Civil War battlefields. Together with Fred, she traveled to a variety of places on the east coast for Civil War reenactments. Every weekday at 7:30PM, you would find Suzanne cozy in her pajamas, ready to be challenged by Alex Trebek’s questions on Jeopardy. She was a natural storyteller, passing down the traditions she held so dearly to the next generation. Searching for lady slippers at the family’s log cabin in Tamworth, NH was a highlight every spring. Suzanne collected sea glass from jaunts on the beach and tossed her findings into jars resting on window sills and tabletops. She enjoyed exploring the tide pools along East Beach, hunting for crabs with her grandchildren. Gramma Sukey played a mean game of Chinese Checkers and eventually shared some of her strategies for success. She couldn’t live without many of these things, but she could live without the bun on her favorite lobster roll meal. Above all else, her greatest passion was the blessing of her family.
Suzanne is survived by her sons, Timothy (Brenda), Matthew (Laurie), and Jonathan (Patty) Palmer, and their children, Heather Rogers (John), Kristen DeCastro (Scott), Devon, Sean (Erin), Ryan, Jackson, Abigail, and Caroline. She was the youngest sister to Constance Rendell, Patricia Capano, and Nancy Wynne, all deceased. Suzanne leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews, her treasured cousin Gail Walker, and many very dear friends.
A private burial service will be held for immediate family. Extended family and friends will be able to remember Suzanne and celebrate her life at a memorial service which will take place during the spring of 2021.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Suzanne’s name to: Westport Point United Methodist Church 1912 Main Road Westport Point, MA 02791.