Our beautiful mother passed on Dec. 6, 2021 from an unexpected illness.
Sue was born on June 21, 1951 in Coulee Dam, WA to Neal and Frances Turner. Sue loved
living in the Grand Coulee area and enjoyed swimming and boating at Spring Canyon and Lake
Roosevelt. She attended Coulee Dam High School and played the flute in the school band and
was in many clubs before graduating high school in 1969.
In 1969, Sue attended Washington State University for Dental Hygiene, where she decided this
was not her calling.
In 1971, Sue met and married James H Richardson in 1972 and welcomed their son Dustin and
then Amy in 1974. Sue and Jim resided in the Newman Lake area to raise their children Dustin
and Amy. Boating, camping at Millpond and Priest Lake and many car shows were a few things
they did as a family. Sue’s family meant everything to her and she would move a mountain to
help her children and grandchildren.
Sue’s career changed when she started working for the Bureau of Mines in 1980 as a
Purchasing Agent and then was promoted to Administrative Officer in 1995, before this branch
closed in 1995. Sue then moved to Natchez, MS in 1996, to work in the Natchez National Park
as the Administrative officer. Sue loved working in the plantation mansions, learning the history
of each and also helped to restore rooms in these mansions. Jim finally joined her in Natchez in
1997. They made numerous lifelong friends within the National Park family and kept in touch
with many thru the years.
Sue’s career changed again when she moved to USVI in 1998, to work in the National Park on St John as the administrative officer. Sue loved the beautiful beaches and blue water and enjoyed a relaxing way of life.
Sue then moved back in 2000 to Rangely, CO to work at Dinosaur National Park as the
administrative officer. They loved this area but missed their families back home. They made the
move to Lewiston in 2002 where she worked at the Nez Perce National Park as the
administrative officer. They made this their forever home which was as close as they could find
closer to family. Sue loved to ride on Jim’s Harley for many day rides and also rode for Toys for
Tots in Lewiston.
Sue was an amazing artist as she loved to watercolor paint, oil paint and also loved to color in
her many coloring books created by her friend PJC Smart. Sue also played the flute and
accordion. She had many artistic talents. Sue had a love for animals, particularly Pugs, which
they owned 3 and rescued many dogs and cats thru the years. Sue loved watching Washington
State football and Gonzaga Bulldog basketball.
Sue is survived by her son Dustin (Kyra) Richardson and daughter Amy(Terry) Drake,
grandchildren Nakoa, Owen, Makaio, Olivia and Keanu, Sister Pam(Gary) Eddy, sister in law
Judy and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Tristate Hospital and Holy Family Hospital with their
care and compassion given to our mother during her final days, especially her nurse, Whitney
who made it possible to be with her during her last moments.
A private burial will be March 19, 2022
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Richardson family.
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