2/14/55 – 3/13/24
Regina Sue Smith
Regina Sue Smith (Susie) was born on February 14, 1955 in Williamson, West Virginia to Geneva Darlene Thompson and Arnville (Pete) Oswald Shortridge. Susie passed peacefully on March 13, 2024 in Bellevue, WA surrounded by family.
Susie is survived by her husband Doug Smith, son Shawn Smith (grand-kitties Xay-Ha and Wolfie), daughter Tamara Smith (Randy Compton and grandchildren Ridge and Romy), sister Jimmi Buys (Lawrence), brother David Shortridge (Terri), brother Rick Shortridge (Barb), and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Susie was preceded in death by her father (Pete), mother (Darlene) and sisters Brenda Lawler and Candi Carpenter.
She was raised in an Air Force family, spending her childhood living in Texas, Michigan, Florida, the Philippines and others, settling in Arnold, Maryland in 1969.
After high school Susie worked as an administrative assistant at FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C., then at the San Diego and Seattle FBI field offices before having her children. She later worked 16 years as a para-educator for the Lake Washington School District where her loving, energetic, and organized nature made her an excellent educator. She impressed staff and students alike with her backward free throw on the court. Susie also served in dozens of positions at Church over the years, including as Primary President, in Kirkland, WA.
Susie met Doug at church, they began dating in 1979, and married on November 1, 1980 at the United States Naval Academy, and were later sealed together with their children at the LDS Temple in Washington DC. For most the 1980s, they moved around the country for Doug’s work. At each location Susie adapted to find community and work, making new friends and a welcoming home at each place, both in and out of church.
In the late 1980s they settled in Kirkland, WA to raise their family. After Tamara & Shawn graduated high school, they moved to Woodinville, WA, where Susie continued working a few years before retiring; then enjoyed volunteering at the Homeward Pet Adoption Center, church and other organizations. Susie was a regular at the local YMCA.
From a young age Susie loved being a homemaker and took pride in having an immaculate home to welcome family & friends. Her family affectionately referred to her as the Laundry Fairy and the Energizer Bunny. They will forever cherish the care she put into her home and love showered on guests.
Susie always enjoyed music and dancing, especially with loved ones. She loved going to church and Naval Academy dances and even entered competitions (including polka). She would often do her famous high kick and funny impersonations to get a laugh from friends, but to the embarrassment of her kids.
She loved to laugh and enjoyed a good joke, but when telling herself, would often start laughing so hard she couldn’t finish, and everyone laughed just the same – her laughter so contagious! Susie did funny impressions, some of her family’s favorites being John Wayne’s True Grit and her rendition of Enjoli perfume “Bring home the bacon” jingle.
She was an excellent cook. During the holidays “Susie’s Kitchen” was filled with the smell of her baked cookies and cream cheese bread, which she lovingly packaged and timely mailed to her children.
Over the last 12 years, Susie prioritized more time with family and friends across the country, especially her precious grandchildren Ridge & Romy. She was over the moon to become beloved Grandma Susie. Despite an ocean between them, plus the global pandemic, she thrived in this role, creating loving, secure and meaningful relationships with them.
Susie was an intelligent, beautiful, complex and vibrant person who loved to love. Her kindness, empathy, generosity and her loving spirit will be truly missed. Her physical absence will be sorely missed, but her legacy of love will live on through her dearest family and friends.
Susie is to be interred at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Washington State dressed in her Temple robes, to be followed by the love of her life Doug when the time comes. While we grieve Susie’s loss this day, we have Hope through Christ forever and ever – Amen.
God speed our dearest Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend Susie – our Queen of Hearts!
Memorial Service for close family and friends at Barton Family Funeral Service in Totem Lake, Kirkland, WA 2 pm Tuesday 3/19/24. Modest flowers are appreciated; blood bank donations will be requested at a future date in Susie’s honor.
Internment Service and Burial at Tahoma National Cemetery 10:15 am Wednesday 3/20/24.
By Sister Jimmi, Daughter & Son Tamara & Shawn, Son-in-Law Randy, and Husband Doug
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