Obituary: Suzanne “Suzi” Jane Birch

Suzi Birch grew up in a loving family; she was devoted to her parents, Pauline and Hio, her brother Peter and her sister, Diana. She grew up in Culver City, California, and often expressed fond memories of her childhood. It was a special community where her elementary and high schools were in close walking distance from her home. Suzi often recalled the times together as a family going to Morro Bay and spending long days at the beach in Santa Monica.

When she went to Long Beach State, she majored in PE and history.  It was at Long Beach State that she met Bill Birch, and they married in 1968.  At a Young Life Camp, serving as counselors, Bill and Suzi both gave their hearts to Jesus right along with the campers. This pivotal decision set their life in motion as one of ministry to high school kids through Young Life. During their early married life, Suzanne also worked as a dance instructor in San Jose.

The young couple moved to Mount Shasta in 1970 where Bill taught at Dunsmuir High School and Suzi taught at Weed High School. They lived there for nine exciting years enjoying the outdoors and ministering through Young Life. Suzi described this time as one of great revival for the local Young Life group with many students accepting Christ as their Savior. They also had their first two children there – Christian and Amy.

After moving to Scott Valley in 1978, Suzanne stayed home to raise their children, now numbering four, after adding Kimberly and Kyndall to the family. Their children were a blessing to her, and she focused her teaching on giving them a strong foundation. The outdoors became an important part of their family life, too, as Bill and Suzi incorporated it into their daily lives — whether hiking or skiing or playing tennis. Suzi always loved gardening, canning and baking fresh bread for family and friends. She returned to teaching at Scott River High School where she began teaching art. Suzi loved the connections she made with these students; not only did she encourage them in their education, but the students loved her endless energy and creativity. It was during this time she also battled her first bout with cancer, but she didn’t let it slow her down.

After teaching at Scott River High, she was asked to teach art at Etna High School. Suzi loved teaching art where she guided students to see the beauty of the outdoors and to develop ways to express it. She taught ceramics and weaving, too, developing her own skill as she did so. Wherever she went, whether while backpacking, at tennis tournaments or spending time in her yard, one would see her with sketch pad, paints and portable easel. Truly, her walk with the Lord was often captured in the landscapes she became well known for, and she was as generous with her talent as she was in sharing her love of Christ. She began to build a business, too, creating soaps and distilling oils and salves. These she sold at craft fairs all over the county, and friends and customers looked forward to purchasing these creations as well as her artwork.

Suzi entered her beautiful paintings in art shows and won a number of awards. She became a foundational member of the Fort Jones Gallery.  Not only did she love painting and teaching it to others in classes she held there, but she thoroughly loved teaching the Bible and leading Bible studies as well. From young high school students to adult women, Suzi impacted many lives. Every morning, she could be found sitting by her fireplace, reading her Bible, taking notes, and collecting those thoughts in artform.

It was in losing Bill that Suzi’s faith was put through another test, but she recognized even then that the Lord was at work.  And when she was hit once more with cancer, she found new ways to focus on that faith through art. During the months of cancer treatment, she spent one year composing a daily devotional art book with every page reflecting scriptures that spoke to her, enhanced by a sketch or watercolor.  She later made a flip calendar of her watercolors and the words that inspired her.

Along with her love for art and teaching the Bible, Suzi found joy in being her husband’s constant companion. For 53 special years, they were very close, not only as husband and wife, prayer partners and teachers, but as best friends, too. Suzi and Bill traveled everywhere together, whether overseas, to Alaska, or into the mountains, whether out hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, playing tennis, gardening or riding horses. Spent with family and friends, they connected with people through their love of God, nature, and life.

Suzi’s joy was also found in the precious time she spent with her grandchildren, whether in teaching them art, letting them ride her golf cart (though spinning doughnuts in the yard was not approved of, but granted!), or in taking trips to the creek or mountains. She loved watching them play sports and eagerly listened to them share their dreams of the future. Gigi, as she was known, was loved dearly by all of them and she will be missed.

Suzanne leaves her son Christian (Monique), daughters Amy (Jason), Kimberly (Will) and Kyndall (Brady), and her beloved grandchildren, Payton, Tycen (Alise), Boden, Damon, Haedon, Eiler, Ellie, and Luca, as well as her first great grandson, (Seb).  She also leaves her sister Diana, brother Peter (Kay) and nephew Brandt (Kristi) and son (Captain), and sister in-law Sandy (Dave) and son David.

Suzi Birch leaves a legacy of immutable love for God, a zest for life, a warrior-like spirit, and a deep desire to encourage and inspire others. She will be missed.

Service will be held at Scott Valley Berean Church on Saturday February 22nd at 4:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers the family requests you donate in memory of Suzi to two organizations very dear to her heart, Kidder Creek Camp https://kiddercreek.mounthermon.org/ or Rockside Ranch https://kiddercreek.mounthermon.org/.

sourced: Girdner Funeral Chapel

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