Suzan Gay Hey

Dr. Suzan Gay Hey, born Suzan Lynch, arrived in this world on September 25th,1947 and was adopted by parents Albert and Emma Lynch. Raised in Long Beach, California, Suzan spent much of her young life enjoying sunny Southern California days at the beach, cheering for the Jordan High cheer squad, spending time with her many friends, fishing and camping with her dad, skiing (both downhill and water!) and playing piccolo and flute in her high school marching band. After high school, Suzan attended the prestigious University of Southern California, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. After graduation, Suzan went on to earn a master’s degree and PhD in education from California State University, Long Beach and USC, respectively. After earning her PhD, Suzan went on to chair her own department at the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, where she contributed greatly to the fields of both dentistry and dental hygiene. In this role, Suzan worked tirelessly to not only further research in her field, but to educate the next generation of oral health care professionals. She broke many glass ceilings as one of the first women to chair a department in the USC School of Dentistry. Suzan is remembered by her students and colleagues as a fiercely passionate educator and brilliant researcher.

After years of teaching and scholarly work at USC, Suzan left to pursue an entirely different sort of career. In January 1990 Suzan married Ernest Hey, and welcomed their only daughter, Sarra. Though Suzan was a brilliant academic, she felt that motherhood was her true calling. After the birth of Sarra, Suzan left USC to spend more time with her family. She moved with Ernest to Moraga, California and began a new career as a professor of dental hygiene at Diablo Valley College.. Suzan often brought Sarra along to her classes at DVC, inspiring a love of education in her daughter. In 1996, Suzan, Ernest, and Sarra moved to Vacaville, California, where Suzan and Ernest started their own dental practice. They worked side by side for many years, building a strong connection to the community and pouring their mutual love of dentistry into their business. After many years of providing dental services to the community, Suzan and Ernest sold their practice and moved to Gardnerville, Nevada.

Alongside her many professional accomplishments, Suzan held an intense love of community and music. She joined many clubs and organizations in both Vacaville and Gardnerville, including Soroptimists International, the Sierra Nevada Republican Women, and the board of the Sacramento Youth Symphony. She had a true heart for philanthropy, donating her time to local high schools and offering free college counseling to young people.

Suzan loved to escape to the great outdoors whenever possible. She fell in love with the California Eastern Sierras at a young age, and greatly loved fishing, hiking, and exploring the mountains. She shared this love with Sarra and Ernest, who continue to fish and hike the lakes and paths of the Eastern Sierra in Suzan’s memory. It is fitting that Suzan spent the final years of her life among the pine trees and mountains of Northern Nevada.

Suzan passed into God’s loving arms on January, 8th 2024. She is survived by her daughter Sarra Hey-Folick, husband Ernest Hey, and son-in-law Daniel Folick. She lived an incredible life filled with love, laughter, and happiness. She loved her daughter and husband fiercely, and will be remembered as the best mother, wife, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Suzan’s Musical Memorial Commission, a piece of music being written in honor of and inspired by Suzan: https://gofund.me/806ac1e7

OR to the MOST (Mental Outreach Safety Team) Program through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department: https://nvcit.org/donate/