Suzanna Vance Hartge's Obituary
Suzanna Vance Hartge, born January 5, 1949. Sixty-nine years full of life, ended suddenly September 6, 2018. She lived life fully until the day she died. A vivacious, free spirit, loving, and one of the most positive people you have met, Suzanna lived in the moment. Suzanna, Mom, Nana, Mimi, Sister, Partner, Caregiver, Friend, Confidant and more, is gone. She leaves behind her family, Alex Shafer (Clermont, FL), Stephanie (Steven) Strong (Okahumpka, FL) and Robinson (Angela) Day (Asheville, NC); partner and longtime love of her life Barry Bowron; grandchildren Morgan and Griffin Joiner, Isla and Ava Day, and great grandson Sebastian Buchan-Joiner. Youngest daughter of Ernest Capt’n Dick and Jane Hartge, Suzanna was born in Annapolis, MD. From the beginning, Suzanna was a born leader with a great sense of adventure and inclusiveness. She moved to Eustis at 12 and after graduating with the class of 1967 from Eustis High School, she attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. A draftsman by trade, that job description does not capture her true talent. Suzanna’s professional legacy is carried through by bringing to life architectural plans into renderings that finally allowed the homeowner to visualize the layout. Of which - of course - she always downplayed as “just a quick sketch.” As fully as she lived her life - as present as she was - she left in the same fashion. Much like a devilish whirlwind that whips up a waterspout in water she loved so much, she vanished just as quickly. Our hearts are empty. And we are just beginning to realize the true impact she has on everyone who she’s touched. In her own words, captured from a recent exchange, she sums it up best: “I have no capacity to disconnect from those who have made a big impact on my life. I’m just so happy to connect and be happy about it.”
We love you and immensely miss you, Suzanna Vance Hartge.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018, 11 a.m., at Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors, 326 East Orange Avenue, Eustis, FL 32726 with a reception immediately following at 5309 Banana Point Drive, Okahumpka, FL 34762.
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