Susan Stevenson Breniman

Published 8:30 am Monday, July 9, 2018

Nov. 13, 1950 – June 15, 2018

Theresa Susan Stevenson was born in Wichita, KS and she left us to be with our Lord and Savior on June 15, 2018 due to complications following a stroke.

She grew up in Wichita and attended Allen Elementary, Curtis Jr. High and Wichita Southeast High School. Susan (her preferred name) was also a member of First Methodist’s youth choir and bell choir. As a Girl Scout, her outgoing personality allowed her to sell enough cookies to receive a full scholarship for summer camp!

In 1966, she moved with her parents to Portland, where she was a member of the Parkrose Swim Team before graduating in 1968. Susan was an active member and officer in Oregon’s Girl Conference. She was the only person the family knew who could ride a unicycle!

After a short attendance at Mt. Hood Community College, she enrolled at the University of Oregon and met Glenn, her husband of nearly forty-six years. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Susan and Glenn were married in 1972, following her graduation from the College of Education.

Susan started her varied careers in Portland at 7-UP Bottling Company where she installed and operated their first system to computerize inventory and sales. Next came the use of her Education degree in teaching kindergarten and second grade in the Gladstone School District.

Susan’s proudest accomplishment was raising the family’s two sons, Aaron and Derek. She was a stay-at-home mom for her boys while pursuing an evening career in Discovery Toys, teaching families the developmental value of playing with educational toys, books and games, reaching a position as Sales Director. After her years with Discovery Toys and her boys had grown, she was recruited by Weekenders, a direct-sales company for women’s casual and professional wear, as a Regional Director of Sales Development. 

Susan worked for several years in The Oregonian’s Classified Advertising Department in sales and systems training. Her final career position before retiring was as the Support Services Supervisor for Kaiser Permanente’s Mental Health and Addiction Medicine Department. In retirement, she thoroughly enjoyed her time spent at her Madras dream home.

Susan loved the Lord, her family, her life and her many friends she met along the way. “Gram Gram” especially loved spending time with her new grandson, Mack. She was a smart, funny, kind, patient and caring person who thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and learning their life story. She was passionate about Duck football, gardening, healthy eating and nutrition and trying new recipes.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert M. And Odelia M. Stevenson. She is survived by her husband Glenn; sons Aaron and Derek; daughter-in-law Lora and grandson Mack; her sisters Karen Hall (Donald), Elaine Wright (Wayne); brother-in-law and sister-in-law Larry and Sam (Susan) Breniman and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of her professional caregivers, her life-long friends, Madras Garden Club, Yarrow Neighborhood and Madras Living Hope Church friends who sent prayers, well-wishes, cards, care baskets and flowers during her journey home. 

Susan’s life was an incredible blessing to all who knew her. 

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held Sunday, Aug. 19th at 2pm at Living Hope Christian Center, 25 N.E. “A” St. Madras, OR. The family suggests casual attire.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the American Heart Association or Madras Kid’s Club.