Sue Parmelee, age 92, passed peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. She was born in West Seattle, on Jan. 30, 1929 and was the youngest of three children.

Her siblings, Gladys and Richard, who predecesed her, were two of her best friends.

Sue grew up in Seattle, graduating from West Seattle High School., where she met the love of her life and husband of 72 years, Gene Parmelee. For over 20 years, Sue and Gene lived together in the Seattle area, where they started a family, raised their daughter, Dyane and owned and ran Rainier Office Supply.

Sue played a very active role in the National Guard’s annual events in support of Gene’s 40-plus year career as an Army National Guard colonel. Once Dyane graduated high school, they moved to Whidbey Island, Wash., to run their family business, Island Sand and Gravel, and help raise their grandchildren, Hether, Courtney and Keegan.

That tradition continued on the island as Sue helped to raise her great-grandchildren, Kainen, Alexis and Rebel. Sue was an active part of the community in which she lived for nearly 50 years, Sandy Hook Yacht Club. In addition to her many other hats, Sue was also a bookkeeper for several local island businesses as well as volunteered her time in the schools to help children learn to read.

Sue had a beautiful garden and grew many of her own fruits, vegetables and herbs. She was well-known for her green thumb. Additionally, anyone who ever received a batch of chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls or banana- zucchini bread from Sue also knew that she was an exceptional baker. Sue made an impact on so many people throughout her years. We are all so thankful for her and for the memories we created together. Life without her will never be the same, but it will be cherished and never forgotten.

Sue is survived by her husband Gene Parmelee; daughter Dyane Eriksson; grandchildren Hether Iverson, Courtney Iverson and Keegan Eriksson; and her great-grandchildren Kainen Hudson, Alexis Iverson and Rebel Eriksson.