Suzette Marie Thorpe

Suzette Marie Thorpe of Gig Harbor, WA, passed away unexpectedly on November 26, 2017, leaving behind shocked and grief-stricken family and friends. The sudden and random nature of Sue’s loss seemed especially tragic given both her vibrant nature and her heroic battle to defeat stage four oral cancer seven years before.  Sue was born in St. Paul, MN, on July 14, 1948, and spent most of her childhood there, graduating from Johnson High School in 1966.  She was a resident of Modesto, CA for over 35 years, prior to moving to Gig Harbor, WA in 2006.  Sue worked in marketing and sales for several years, particularly at Gallo Winery, before running her own company as a skilled bookkeeper and tax preparer.  She specialized in difficult cases and became an Enrolled Agent with the IRS, representing clients in a role similar to a tax attorney.  After retiring, Sue continued to assist family with tax issues and worked for four years at the Gig Harbor location of the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program, supervising tax return preparation by volunteers and helping retired and disabled people file their returns.  She was also very active with the Gig Harbor Yacht Club, serving as Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer for many years since 2009, and winning the Tugboat Annie Award in 2012 for her outstanding service to the Club and Commodore.  Sue is survived by her husband of 36 years, Paul C. Thorpe, and daughter Jenée Wagner, both of Gig Harbor, WA; her step-children Jennifer Aaron of Kelso, WA, and Jeff Thorpe of Atlanta, Georgia; her sisters Polly Findlen of Modesto, CA, and Laurie Neumann of Ripon, CA; her ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and a large and loving extended family.  She is also survived by Bill Wagner, and was predeceased by her father Bert Wagner, mother Dorothy Taylor, and brothers Bob and Brad Wagner.  Sue is deeply missed.

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