Obituary for Susan J Preston
Susan J. Preston fell asleep on December 3, 2021 for the last time at the age of 85 in Tacoma, Washington, after a long, adventurous, and joyful life. She had been living with and suffering from both Lewy Body dementia and vascular dementia for more than six years.
Susan was born on September 22 in Kentucky to Clarence and Florence Jordan. She grew up in many different places as a child and in her adulthood. She attended Denison University and the University of Chicago for her undergraduate studies and majored in English. An avid learner and student, she also earned a master's degree in English and multiple levels of education certificates, including special education, counseling, and administration. She retired from teaching for the Portland (Oregon) Public Schools, where she was primarily an English teacher, and also taught middle school special education. Susan was a folklorist who collected, taught, and shared her musical talents with many others. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling, dog shows (obedience and field trials with Irish Setters), skiing, biking, competitive tennis at Mountain Park Racquet (& Fitness) Club, singing/playing guitar, camping, painting, and volunteering. She sang in the choir of the Lake Grove Presbyterian church for over 40 years and volunteered with the Lions Club International, serving as one of their District Governors.
Susan is survived by her four children Jeniphr Grant, Evan Grant, Becca Holthusen (Larry), and Rachael Allison (Lesa Valentine); her seven grandchildren Jessica Sewell (Jared), Josef Kistler, Molli Osterhout (Taurean Walls), Stefanie Cerroni (Anthony), Katie Osterhout, Olivia Witten, and Alexandria Allison; and her great-grandson, Alden Sewell. She is preceded in death by her husband Frederick W. Preston in 2017.
A joyous memorial service will be held at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, Lake Oswego, Oregon, on Jan 15 at 11:00 am to celebrate the life of Susan and the many beautiful impacts she had in her life.
In memory of Susan, her children would like to honor her by asking for donations to any of the following organizations (please list Susan in the donation and contact Rachael for her address if prompted for notifications)
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Irish Setter Club of America
Portland Folkmusic Society
Susan was born on September 22 in Kentucky to Clarence and Florence Jordan. She grew up in many different places as a child and in her adulthood. She attended Denison University and the University of Chicago for her undergraduate studies and majored in English. An avid learner and student, she also earned a master's degree in English and multiple levels of education certificates, including special education, counseling, and administration. She retired from teaching for the Portland (Oregon) Public Schools, where she was primarily an English teacher, and also taught middle school special education. Susan was a folklorist who collected, taught, and shared her musical talents with many others. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling, dog shows (obedience and field trials with Irish Setters), skiing, biking, competitive tennis at Mountain Park Racquet (& Fitness) Club, singing/playing guitar, camping, painting, and volunteering. She sang in the choir of the Lake Grove Presbyterian church for over 40 years and volunteered with the Lions Club International, serving as one of their District Governors.
Susan is survived by her four children Jeniphr Grant, Evan Grant, Becca Holthusen (Larry), and Rachael Allison (Lesa Valentine); her seven grandchildren Jessica Sewell (Jared), Josef Kistler, Molli Osterhout (Taurean Walls), Stefanie Cerroni (Anthony), Katie Osterhout, Olivia Witten, and Alexandria Allison; and her great-grandson, Alden Sewell. She is preceded in death by her husband Frederick W. Preston in 2017.
A joyous memorial service will be held at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, Lake Oswego, Oregon, on Jan 15 at 11:00 am to celebrate the life of Susan and the many beautiful impacts she had in her life.
In memory of Susan, her children would like to honor her by asking for donations to any of the following organizations (please list Susan in the donation and contact Rachael for her address if prompted for notifications)
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Irish Setter Club of America
Portland Folkmusic Society