Susan Atkinson passed away in Tacoma, WA on Sunday October 15, 2023, with her husband of 55 years at her side. Susan leaves behind husband Mike Atkinson, sons Michael and Stephen, daughter-in-law Selena, her grandchildren, sister Marilyn, and nieces Emily and Kelly Smith.

Susan was born on April 28, 1947 to parents George and Norma Handorf in Seattle, WA. She attended BF Day Elementary School in Fremont and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965. She took courses at Shoreline Community College before starting work at Blue Cross.

It was at Blue Cross that she met Michael Atkinson. They married on June 29, 1968. Susan and Michael made their first home in Wallingford and later moved for a short time to Auburn before buying their first house on Chervenka Avenue in Sumner, WA. They later built their own home together on Voight Street in Sumner, where they set down their roots. Susan had a long career as the Office Administrator for local Saint Andrew’s Parish where she touched the lives of many.

Susan had two sons, Michael George Atkinson, Jr., and Stephen Murray Atkinson, and six grandchildren: Ethan, Ryan, Ava, Molly, Azalea, and Cordelia. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. Susan was an avid gardener, who filled her home with beautiful flowers; she loved camping and made every campsite feel like home; she never missed a game, concert, performance, or graduation for her kids or grandkids; her breadsticks were famous at her son’s basketball games; she loved to share a cup of hot chocolate with her grandkids when they stayed the night, and she always looked forward to baking days with the grandkids and passing on family recipes. She loved to laugh. Susan was tenacious and caring, tough and thoughtful. She was so much the center of the family, bringing everyone together. She loved her family deeply and was deeply loved.