Susan Rena Jackson was born on October 15, 1945, to Wallace (Wally) and Rena (Aimone) Jackson in Boulder City, Nevada, and grew up in the North End of Tacoma — a city she would call home for most of her life. As a teenager she worked as a lifeguard at Titlow Pool. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1963 and attended the University of Puget Sound.

Susan grew up in a sports-loving family, the oldest of four children with three younger brothers. Her father Wally taught her the finer details of whatever sport was in season, and through him she developed a deep appreciation and love for sports that stayed with her throughout her life. Baseball was her favorite. She loved spending summer afternoons and evenings in the stands at Cheney Stadium, soaking up the sunshine and the rhythm of the game. Her dad taught her to keep score, and for years she put that skill to good use keeping score at her friends' rec league games.

As a big sister, Susan took her much younger siblings — the twins — to countless games, making sure they experienced the same excitement she had come to love. One of the most memorable adventures was hauling the twins and their neighbor Dave to their first Washington Huskies road game in Oregon. Another cherished memory: a Memorial Day baseball doubleheader watching the Tacoma Giants on an 85-degree day. Susan also showed up in the quieter moments of family life — including teaching her brother Jim to drive a stick shift in her Volkswagen Bug. Above all, she was a loving, kind, and generous sister.

Susan joined the Washington State Patrol in July 1975 as a Communications Officer, beginning a career that would span nearly three decades and leave a lasting impression on everyone who worked alongside her. From Bellevue to Bremerton to Tacoma, she brought professionalism, warmth, and an unshakeable dedication to her work family. She trained countless Communications Officers and Trooper Cadets, and served on the board of the WSP Memorial Foundation, ensuring that fallen officers and their families had the support they needed. When Susan retired in July 2003, she left behind not just a legacy of service, but a community of people who were better for having known her.

Outside of work, Susan lived with gusto. She was a devoted Season Ticket holder to Tacoma Actors Guild and Tacoma Little Theater, and could often be found at a good restaurant with one of her many regular dining companions — Susan was never short on people who wanted to share a meal with her. Favorite haunts included the Tacoma Red Robin and Harbor Lights. She expressed her Italian heritage through cooking, and her antipasto platters were as beautiful as they were delicious.

She loved to travel. She and her friend Marcia Burdette once piled into a car and drove clear across the United States to visit a college friend who had settled in New York — Susan loved telling the story of how they spent the night in New Jersey and took the city bus into the city. She loved the beach and returned to Lincoln City, Hawaii, and Mexico again and again. Her last great adventure was a trip to Italy with her niece Sarah — touring the country, savoring gelato and salami, and meeting their Italian relatives.

Susan had a sharp wit and a laugh that could fill a room. Those who loved her will remember the private jokes and rituals that made her relationships feel singular and irreplaceable. Her niece Sarah will remember, among so many things, the two of them launching into a trembling, high-falsetto rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" — belting out "Some — wheeeeere" whenever one of them needed a laugh. Even in her final weeks, when Sarah would begin to sing, Susan would wink.

As Marcia and Susan were busy with their careers they communicated more by phone. The conversation would always begin: ”This is the day the Lord has made”, and the other would answer “Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” For holiday dinners Susan would drive Cousin Jerry to Lakewood; if someone new was present Jerry would introduce Susan as his “Holiday Wife”. She always made sure everyone had a ride, something to eat and an ear to listen. Mikel Ann’s children were in Junior High before they realized Susan was not their Aunt by blood!

Susan had many dear friends: her lifelong friend Mikel Ann Robinson; her partner in crime Marcia Burdette (deceased); college and lifelong friend Dave Davis; WSP Troopers Eric Robertson and Eric Killian; dinner companions Scott Robinson, Margo and David Warnick and wonderful friends and neighbors Shari and Kevin Knapp.

She was predeceased by her parents, Wallace and Rena Jackson, and her brother Joe Jackson. She is survived by her brothers Cal Jackson (Laurel Anderson) and Jim Jackson (Heidi), her nephew Jamie Jackson (Ashley), and her niece Sarah Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan's name to the WSP Memorial Foundation, PO Box 901, Prosser, WA 99350, www.wspmf.org, or to a charity of your choice.