SUZANNE “RAE” MARIE FREEMAN MITCHELL BRITTON

On July 5, 2023 Suzanne Britton was welcomed into the Lord’s hands after an extended battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a rare form of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).

Born on April 14, 1952 to Maurice “Bud” and Marie Freeman, Suzanne and her younger brother Jeff were raised in Mount Vernon, Washington.  She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1970 and went on to attend Skagit Valley College and graduated from Central Washington State University.

Among Suzanne’s many attributes that she acquired from her parents were those of the Protestant work ethic and appreciation of family.  From an early age she worked on her hands and knees in the fields surrounding Mt. Vernon, harvesting seasonal crops such as strawberries.  During her college years she spent several summers in Alaska working long hours in the fish canneries.

Suzanne and her husband Chris met on a blind date on December 18, 1996 on a Christmas cruise boat touring Lake Washington with mutual friends. From that day forward, for the past 26+ years they shared their life, love and family together.  Little did she know at the time that she we going to be a loving grandmother and a matriarch of an extended family whom she loved, and they adored.

Suzanne was a very skilled and successful businessperson and leader.  She was committed to the challenges that came with that endeavor. Her intelligence, integrity and unwavering determination to do what was right were hallmarks of her career.  She had a variety of opportunities to hone her craft, including being an entrepreneur and serving as a member of the City of Richland Economic Development Committee.  She ended her successful career as an executive with Energy Northwest in Richland.

Outside of work and her love of family, Suzanne had a variety of passions and interests.  On the athletic side, she loved golf, snow skiing, and was an ardent runner.  On the cultural side, she liked to attend plays and loved music.  For several years she performed in a group of Sweet Adelines, a female performance group based on barbershop style music.

Suzanne (aka Rae) is survived by her husband, Chris.  She is also survived by stepdaughter Jen Bareither and son-in-law Scott and his daughters Peyton and Ryleigh, stepson Adam and daughter-in-law Stephanie and granddaughter Carly and grandson Cooper, father Maurice “Bud” Freeman and his wife Cherie.  She leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law’s family.  She was also blessed with an amazing extended family including Susanna and Aaron Rowe and grandchildren Maya and Mason, Earl and Carrie Sullivan and grandsons Jack and Ty.  Oh, and we can’t forget her Australian Labradoodle Lola!

Suzanne was preceded in death by her mother, Marie Strand Freeman and brother Jeffrey Morris Freeman.

Suzanne’s family would like to give a huge shout out to the caregiver staff and owners of Village View Adult Family Home and to the very special daughters of current residents of Village View.  They provided her with loving and compassionate care and a sense of familial belonging.  We couldn’t be more grateful for the care she received while there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering a donation to the University of Washington Brain and Wellness Memory Care Center Fund (EIN 91-6001537).

A celebration of Suzanne’s life will be held at 2PM on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland, Washington.