Susan Lee (Storer) Howard passed away at her home north of Coupeville Oct. 31; her battle against pancreatic cancer finally ended.

She was born in Canton, Ill., Nov. 1, 1946, to Mary Jane Brooks and adopted as an infant by Francis Lee and Jean Loretta (Shreffler) Storer. She was raised in Benton Harbor, Mich., and, after graduating from Michigan State University, worked for a short time as a social worker in Berrien County, Mich.

She married and moved to the Chicago area, where she was hired as a juvenile probation officer for DuPage County, Ill., in 1971. She was promoted to the supervisor of that department in 1981. She retired in 1998 and moved to Whidbey Island in 2003, where she was a much-loved and tireless pillar of strength as a volunteer in the WSU Island County Beach Watchers.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 29 years, John; her son, Eric Bassett, and his wife, Teal; Jake Howard and his wife, Debbie Flapan; Geoff Howard; Alison Howard and her husband, Marcos Schonenberg; and grandchildren, Linnea and Elsa Bassett, Noah Howard, and Ryan and Mac Schonenberg.

Private family services are planned. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome by www.PanCan.org The American Cancer Society or Lighthouse Environmental Programs.