Susie was a dear neighbor who lived across the cul-de-sac from our family for 27 years.  Her children, even though a little older than ours, were nurturing and kind to ours.   Rebecca would hold and play with our children when they were toddlers.  Susie would always make sure to train Rebecca on how to handle toddlers.  Greg would include our younger boys when building snow forts.   And we had full confidence if we had any type of family emergency that Susie and Steve would be safe and helpful to us and our children.  Steve would bring us his world famous home-grown tomatoes.  I so enjoyed chatting with Susie as we worked in our yards, and our children played together outside.  I loved Susie’s laugh, and her sense of humor, and the sweet relationship she had with her husband and children. 

My condolences to the family of Susan Ashland. I pray that God gives you grace and mercy in your time of sorrow. Peace when you feel down. I worked with Susie for many years, and we always enjoyed working with one another. I will remember our weekly text. I know one thing through my talks with Susie she LOVED her family. I will miss her.  God has a beautiful new Angel smiling down from heaven, her name is Susie.

We are so sad to hear of Susie’s passing. We were neighbors of the Varner’s in Miami.  Love and prayers for you all.  Susie was also so kind (all the Varner’s are).  Love the  Rankin’s.  Sharon Liz and Joi 

Susie precepted me one of my first shifts of orientation as a brand new nurse and I knew she was a great nurse and that I wanted to be just like her. She loved her patients and her coworkers fiercely and was the best charge nurse. This was truly so unexpected and I wish I had more time to learn from her but I will forever cherish the time I did get with her.  I will always remember her encouraging words and wanting me to come back to day shift to work with her. She was the best recruiter for our unit. Rest well Susie, you will always be remembered fondly by us on 2300. 

Dear Steve,  so sorry to hear about your wife  (I got word via deron).  Praying for your family and you during this time.   Brad Houck

When I met Susie as a brand new nurse at Duke over 10 years ago I knew I was meeting someone exceptional. She spoke proudly of her husband, her children, and her faith, however, I know her best with her nursing hat on: a strong charge nurse, a powerful advocate for both her nursing colleagues and her patients, and an extraordinary teacher and mentor. Every shift she worked, she modeled what it looks like to leave the patient in a better condition than when we received them, that nursing is 24/7 and continuous, we can't do it all in one 12 hour shift, and to never forget the bed alarm, the scd's, and their incentive spirometer. Susie leaves behind a legacy of nurses at Duke as well as all over the country. As a nurse still working at the bedside, this week, I have felt Susie's spirit with me, in my heart, right next to my id badge clipped to those royal blue scrubs for 12 plus hours. When people ask me if my future plans ever involve going back to school to become a nurse practitioner, my answer to them is always, no I would miss the bedside and the patient care too much, I want to be a Susie. 

Susie was the kindest and most caring nurse I have ever encountered. Her wisdom has been passed on to new nurses for years. I started as a new grad on 8300 during the pandemic. Even though she wasn’t my preceptor she always guided me and was supportive during my transition. I will never forget her gracious smile and encouraging attitude. 

Susie was a legend at Duke with over 30 years  of nursing experience on General Medicine, caring for some of the sickest patients outside of the ICU.  During her tenure on 2300 (8300),  she shared her knowledge and expertise with countless new grads who started their careers with us on Gen Med.  Her passing has left us sad and confused.  We weren’t ready.  We will miss her giggles and her quick steps down those long halls.  Susie we love you, but God loves you more.  Rest in heavenly peace.

Susie, I can't believe I'm writing this. Yes, that would not have crossed my mind on Tuesday morning when I got the phone call. Quizie as I always call you. Who can question the ways of God?.  In times like this, comforting words are easier said than done, but as Christians we have to hold on to our faith. Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Quizie may the angels usher you to the presence of God. May he grant your family peace and comfort. You said you were worried about Gregory, Rebecca and Steve. Quize, they will be alright, The Lord will provide for them. 
" Thine ways not mine, O Lord. However dark it may be. Lead me by thine own hands." You trained me as a Nurse. You were a good teacher. Ooh Quizie It's too soon to go. 
Rest well, rest peacefully, rest in the arms of the Lord.

 


Our thoughts and prayers are with you Steve, Gregory and Rebecca.  Please let us know if we can do anything.  Rest in Peace Susie.

Family of Susan Ashland: 

 My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.  I had the pleasure of working with Susan at Duke University Health System on 8300 and I remember her for her kindness, caring attitude and pleasant smile.  Praying that the precious memories of Susan will help to ease your pain and give you strength in the days ahead.    Prayers and hugs and much love to all.







Susie, as she was affectionately known, was one of a kind.  She was funny (with an infectious giggle), kind, and wise.  There is not a unit at Duke Hospital that does not have at least one nurse who was trained either by her or by someone she trained...we called it "Susie's family tree."  She reminded us with her words but more importantly with her actions that there is always more we can do for our patients and for each other.  She was an exemplary teacher, friend, and nurse.   

To Susie: may you rest in peace.  To her family: may her memory be a blessing.   To my fellow nurses:  may we live up to her example. 

I am so heartbroken for your and our loss.  Susie was the conscience and kindness of our unit.  She was my mentor, teacher, colleague, example, and friend.  She could walk into a room and make the sickest, saddest, most scared person feel better with her sweet attention.  Our unit has lost our finest charge nurse and preceptor, and I will miss her every day. 

I met Susie when I first started Duke some years ago, she always told me how good of a job I was doing , she was always happy to know that she and I would be working together for the shift. May she rest well. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gregory and Rebecca. May Susan Rest in Peace. 
Randy and Jo Ann Snyder

I worked with Susan on 8300 at 
Duke Health system.I enjoyed working with her . She loved talking about her  family and loved them dearly. 
we would have some good laughs on 8300. May her family find comfort at this very difficult time. I will keep the family in my prayers 
Love
Barbara webb Edwards 

OBITUARY

Susan Lynn Ashland

July 29, 1961 – August 7, 2023

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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