How do you say goodbye to the woman who gave you life? How do you say goodbye to the woman who was your wife for over 46 years? How do you say goodbye to the woman who helped hold your hand every step of the way as you navigated your life? Who do you reach out to now when you need to know the ingredients to the favorite family recipe or what the name of the favorite restaurant was that we went to 20 years ago? These are the questions we as a family faced as we had to say goodbye to Susan (McHugh) Trimble on July 18, 2021.
An unexpected diagnosis of terminal lung cancer took her from us too soon. There is simply not enough pen and paper to describe how much she meant to our family. This tribute will provide a mere glimpse of how wonderful she was and how deeply she will be missed.
Susan M. (McHugh) Trimble was born in Omak on May 20, 1946. She would move with her family to the town of Twisp and call it home during her childhood. She would later move to Spokane and attend Gonzaga University, graduating in 1969 and earning a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. Up for an adventure, she would later move to Hawaii and on a warm sunny day at the beach she would meet a man by the name of Bob Trimble who eventually would become her husband. Together they navigated his career in the Navy and traveled across the United States. They had two daughters, Jennifer (Trimble) Houghton and Ellen (Trimble) Sheridan. She supported him and would become a full-time homemaker that would include volunteering at her children’s schools as an art docent, helping out with Girl Scouts activities and softball games in the town of Silverdale. Susan wore many hats and one was as an avid seamstress, she sewed her children’s clothes, made their first cabbage patch dolls, crocheted baby blankets for friends and family. She was a fantastic cook who insisted on expanding her family’s culinary palate — her New Year’s dinners of homemade Chinese food will be missed. She loved gardening, art, travel, music and was an avid reader. Books were her friends and she had many of them! She provided immense support to her daughters on their journey to motherhood. Susan had three grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Wesley and Celia Sheridan and Russell Houghton.
On her 75th birthday this past May she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and on July 18, 2021, she passed away at Hospice House in Tacoma. She was blessed to be able to see her family and friends and was showered with cards and flowers, all of which brought a smile to her face. She was laid to rest on July 31, 2021 at Beaver Creek Cemetery with a private family gathering that included her sister Mary McHugh and brothers Mike McHugh and Tom McHugh and all of their children and grandchildren in attendance. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Celia McHugh.
Roses, hydrangeas and peonies were her favorite flowers — all of which surrounded her burial.
A beautiful yellow butterfly weaved its way through the family circle as we said our goodbyes.
As one of her last musings, when asked what she thought would happen to her when she passed, she said, “Maybe I will turn into a butterfly.”
It is for that reason we will forever think of her when we see beautiful flowers and butterflies.
As sad as it is to see her go, we are glad the pain is over. She was loved and will be missed so very much.
