M. Suzanne Oliver

Beloved and charismatic teacher, mentor to both young and old, rescuer extraordinaire of all animals large and small, and a true friend to many, M. Suzanne Oliver, 89, died peacefully at home on January 25, 2023 in Salisbury, North Carolina, after an extended illness. Suzanne was born in Akron, Ohio, and later moved to Auburn, Washington, before retiring in Salisbury, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Llyod and Marjorie Oliver, of Akron, Ohio. If you knew Suzanne, you know she will be welcomed at the Rainbow Bridge by the thousands of animals she had loved throughout her life, particularly dogs, cats, goats, and horses. She whispered right before she died that her horse Special Event would be the one to carry her into Heaven. A loving and cherished Godmother, Suzanne will be dearly missed by the many godchildren entrusted to her, especially Scott Thomas of Charlotte, NC, and Patrick Keller of Lyons, CO. Suzanne taught school for a total of 42 years. She began her teaching career at St. Paul’s, and the St. Mary’s, and St. Sebastian’s elementary schools in Akron, Ohio. After moving to Washington State, she taught at Olympic Junior High and then at Auburn Senior High School and Rainer Middle School. Suzanne absolutely loved being a teacher, and there was not a subject she did not teach in all these years. Testimony to her love of teaching, Suzanne enjoyed a unique and long-lasting friendship with former students even to the day she died. A sincere thank you and appreciation to Carolina Caring and their Hospice care the last few months of Suzanne’s life. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, February 10, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salisbury, North Carolina, with Father John Eckert officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, checks may be made to Friends of Rowan, P.O. Box 262, Salisbury, NC 28145-0262, memo line: Faithful Friends. (In doing this way all donations will be doubled.) Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Oliver family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.