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On July 4th, 2020 the we lost a gentle and caring woman who shone a light in the world and touched so many with her love. Only the memories of what a special person she was and the joy she brought can help her family and friends through the sadness we feel at her passing.
Susan was born in Couer... see more
On July 4th, 2020 the we lost a gentle and caring woman who shone a light in the world and touched so many with her love. Only the memories of what a special person she was and the joy she brought can help her family and friends through the sadness we feel at her passing.
Susan was born in Couer d’Alene Idaho to Margaret and Milton Hoffman. She grew up in Portland and graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Her working life was dedicated to educating and enriching the lives of young children as well as training and encouraging adults who cared for them. She taught and was a supervisor for Southern Oregon Headstart for many years. In the later years of her career she concentrated on training others to be the kind of teacher she was; knowledgeable, creative, gentle, and loving. She touched many hundreds of lives, children and adults, and made a huge difference in their lives.
While at Portland State she met Gordon Longhurst and they shared a life together for 52 years. They married in 1974 and their first child, daughter Jesse Moon, was born in 1975. Their son Noah Sky was born in 1980.
They followed their dream of building a life in the country, homesteading land outside of Grants Pass in 1976, where they built a home and created a special place where they could enjoy the natural world and grow healthy food to nourish their family. Susan was one of the founders of the Growers’ Market in Grants Pass, helping it through the difficult early years so that it could grow to be the flourishing success it is today.
Susan loved the natural world, from trees to birds and bugs to flowers. She was never happier than when she was hiking in the woods or playing on the beach, especially with her family. she brought her love of the natural world other work as an educator and was a pioneer and influential advocate for getting young children outside to experience the wonders of nature.
Susan was a nurturer in everything she did. An accomplished cook and a fantastic gardener she delighted in growing healthy food and beautiful flowers.
She was always happiest if she was doing something that would bring happiness another and could always be counted on when someone needed help and compassion.
Susan loved her children fiercely and raised them to be strong and loving people with the knowledge and values she taught them. When her grandchildren arrived she got a second chance to share her endless love, delighting in art projects, cooking camping trips and exploring the world together.
In 2015 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the next five years she dealt with her disease with strength and determination and continued to live her life to the fullest. During that time she and Gordon moved to Ashland where she was closer daughter Jesse’s family and so able to spend more time with the grandchildren.She and Gordon continued to travel, which was another of her favorite things, making trips to Ireland and England, Quebec, and many trips in the Northwest.
She was still cooking and gardening and helping others right up until the sudden final crisis that took her life. She faced that crisis with the same bravery and strength she’s shown for five years, worrying about her family more than herself to the end.
Susan is survived by her husband Gordon, daughter Jesse, son Noah, grandchildren Max and Vera, her mother Margaret, sister Jayne , and brother Milton and nieces, nephews and many friends.
A celebration of Susan’s life will occur when arrangements can made to hold it safely.
Please contact Gordon at gordon@ budget.net if you’d like to be notified when it will occur.
Please add your memories of Susan on this site.
A scholarship will be established at Rogue Community College to assist students studying Early Childhood Education
Donations in Susan’s name can be made to The Family Nurturing Center
https://familynurturingcenter.org/donate/
Susan and I shared some of the best adventures these past years....laughing our asses off in Alaska at a crazy hot springs in the middle of winter to view the Aurora Borialis , and the last trip to the San Juan’s last October..the “lucky bit....es”... moreSusan and I shared some of the best adventures these past years....laughing our asses off in Alaska at a crazy hot springs in the middle of winter to view the Aurora Borialis , and the last trip to the San Juan’s last October..the “lucky bit....es” trip. She was the touchstone of my Head start Center. I was so fortunate to have her as a model and mentor. She had the magic. I will miss her. She was my friend. less
Susan...the most sincere, kind & gentle soul I have ever known. She had an impact on my life like no other, from her I learned strength.
I am blessed our lives through this life crossed. I loved being able to see her smile again.Susan will be with me always. 💕
In the last five years, since she was diagnosed with cancer, my mom saw her grandchildren grow into teens. She traveled to Canada, Ireland and England and saw the Aurora Borealis. She and my father moved off the mountain and into town after 40+ years of... moreIn the last five years, since she was diagnosed with cancer, my mom saw her grandchildren grow into teens. She traveled to Canada, Ireland and England and saw the Aurora Borealis. She and my father moved off the mountain and into town after 40+ years of rural life. The transition was difficult for her, so she created a garden oasis brimming with flowers and vegetables. She missed the tall trees but decided to paint clouds. She slowly warmed to Ashland, took up tai chi and frequented the growers’ market.
She knew plants better than anyone I’ve ever met. She just had to give a plant a little pep talk and it would flourish. Her garden is a riot of hollyhocks,roses, herbs, arugula and tomatoes. Up until the week before she died, she was baking bread and sending meals over to my house.
She was an advocate for the educational needs of small children. She believed that every child had a right to a relationship with the natural world. She was tougher than tough and braver than brave. She carried buckets of water, chopped wood, milked goats, butchered chickens, ground wheat and made tofu from scratch.
She infused wonder and whimsy into children’s lives. A weekend with Grandma was a chance to experience the full force of her magic. The mysteriously refilled treasure chest, the mud kitchen, hundreds of silly songs, stacks of pancakes and gingerbread cookies, and a colorful dusting of edible flowers on every salad! The baskets of crystals, shells, feathers and rocks. The puppets and musical instruments and shelves overflowing with picture books. The birthday parties for an ancient oak tree and fairy gardens waiting to be discovered discovered in potted plants. My children have been shaped and blessed by her love.
It’s so strange to think of all of her knowledge that has gone with her. Herbal medicine, native plants, crocheting, the best rhubarb pie, and how to coax wood stove alight in record time. She had beautiful handwriting and sent little notes in my lunch even in high school. Her house was full of beeswax candles and flowers. She loved frog song and hummingbirds and hot sunshine.
Evan Johnson
Enjoyed reading your memory of Susan. It captures so many wonderful things about her life and the gifts she brought to the world. I feel inspired by her magical connection with nature, plants, herbal medicine, and all the healing wisdom it brings. Love you Jesse!
Debbi HicksJesse I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the pain your heart is feeling. I only met Susan a few times but feel I know her through my mom Maggie Pulaski. My mom loved and adored Susan so much. What an incredible, one of in a million... moreJesse I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the pain your heart is feeling. I only met Susan a few times but feel I know her through my mom Maggie Pulaski. My mom loved and adored Susan so much. What an incredible, one of in a million kind woman your mother was. I truly wish I'd known her better. You, Noah, Gordon and the rest of the family will continue to be on my heart and in my prayers. May God comfort you all during this time.
Jimmie DoyleJesse...I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Thank you for a beautiful tribute. I could see your momma in every sentence,she was a remarkable woman. I feel very blessed for the time we had together,raising babies,floating the river,gardening & just... moreJesse...I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Thank you for a beautiful tribute. I could see your momma in every sentence,she was a remarkable woman. I feel very blessed for the time we had together,raising babies,floating the river,gardening & just sitting quietly in the sunshine,watching. I glad to learn your kids get to know her well. She was a gift to all of us. Love you Jesse Moon
Susan was the kindest person I've ever known. Throughout her whole life her main motivation was to make others happy. As a mother and a grandmother and throughout her career as an educator her most passionate love was for children. She empathized with... moreSusan was the kindest person I've ever known. Throughout her whole life her main motivation was to make others happy. As a mother and a grandmother and throughout her career as an educator her most passionate love was for children. She empathized with them, protected them, and taught them. Her other loves like gardening and cooking were about nurturing too. She loved to give gifts and they were always thoughtful, picked carefully to bring happiness to the receiver.
Susan lived a full and productive life. She loved living in the woods, camping with the kids and grandkids, and traveling to many far flung places around the world. Her favorite destination was the ocean; she loved its power and felt a strong connection to it and she was always happy when she could walk along a beach whether it was in Fiji or Oregon.
I don't know how I'll manage without my Susan. Nothing right now seems to really matter. I am sure that I will get past this with the love and support of family and friends,but from now on there will always be a huge hole in my life. She was a very special person and I'm only now truly understanding how fortunate I was to have had a life with her. less
Evan Johnson
Susan's love for children and nurturing their growth comes through so strong. Really appreciating her connection with the woods and ocean beaches. Love you Gordy!
Linda NethertonMy sister-in-law, Susan, was truly one of the kindest and most hospitable individuals I've ever met. Our times together at Manzanita, Forest Grove, Limpy Creek and Ashland were always filled with the latest discoveries in her garden or the woods. We... moreMy sister-in-law, Susan, was truly one of the kindest and most hospitable individuals I've ever met. Our times together at Manzanita, Forest Grove, Limpy Creek and Ashland were always filled with the latest discoveries in her garden or the woods. We laughed our heads off in Bend while our families made a silly video for Cousin Colette when she married. During our many Christmas holidays and New Year's visits together, we discussed the world and compared notes on our children. (She often added helpful info. about childhood development that eased my mind!) We both enjoyed travel and I was entranced by her stories from Fiji, Mexico and other interesting spots she and Gord visited. She amazed me with her courage as she lived with cancer, focusing on living, not dying. She cared deeply about nature, little ones, and the world they willinherit. Her joy in children, and especially her children and grandchildren, was a sight to behold. She was a loving teacher and her family is a credit to all she gave of... less
Eileen Amaranthus Susan’s love of nature, the environment and children was contagious. An amazing cook and gardener. I’m a better grandmother because of her. She also rekindled my interest in helping early elementary school age children through play. She will he... moreSusan’s love of nature, the environment and children was contagious. An amazing cook and gardener. I’m a better grandmother because of her. She also rekindled my interest in helping early elementary school age children through play. She will he missed. We were all blessed to cross her path.