Suzanne Marie Merz, 66, died on Feb. 27 from injuries sustained in a fall. She died peacefully with her three daughters around her.

Suzanne was born to Joe and Delma Hayward in Chandler, OK on
August 12, 1938, the oldest of five children. She lived in Sonoma
County for the past 32 years and will be remembered for her
enthusiasm, love of life, and deep faith. She bubbled over in her
love for the Lord, sharing that love with everyone she met. She had
a way of making you feel special. Suzanne taught elementary school
for 30 years, most of those spent at Santa Rosa Christian School,
leaving a profound mark on the lives of both her students and the
teachers with whom she worked. More than anything, Suzanne found
her greatest joy in her family. She made every birthday and holiday
a special event. She was mother to Julie Woodruff and husband Dave,
Janie Phillips and husband Duane, Cindy Everson and husband Eric.
She was grandmother to to Jon, Chris, Andrew, Beth, Joshua, Laura,
Melissa, Shane, and Joe. She was preceded in death by her loving
husband of 41 years, Don. She was a loving sister to Dottie
Blackford, Mary Burrier, Joe Hayward, and the late Virginia Nelson
and a loving sister-in-law to Curt Blackford, Byron Nelson, Randy
Hayward, Jerry and Janet Merz, and Raymond Merz. She was a
wonderful aunt to numerous nieces and nephews
Donations may be made to the U.C. Davis M.I.N.D. Institute:
research for autism.