Suzanne Jean Stinnett

Suzanne Jean Stinnett, 45, of Walla Walla and formerly of La Grande, died suddenly of a heart attack Sept. 11 in her new home.

A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday outside Suzanne's father's home, 60113 Morgan Lake Road in La Grande. A reception and celebration of life will follow.

Suzanne was born May 9, 1963, in Yakima and moved to La Grande with her parents, Ray and Donna Stinnett in 1968. She graduated from Boise High School in 1981 and from La Grande Business College a short time later. She was employed at First Security Bank while she raised her first two sons, Miles and Austin Montgomery, currently 21 and 19 respectively.

Suzanne began a second family with her marriage to Beau Vucinich and they had three children, Savannah, 8 years old, Blake 7, and Isabella 4.

Those who knew Susanne say that like her mother, she was a vibrant woman, fully engaged with life, who loved her children first and foremost. She was a friend to all animals and had a special bond with horses. She loved plants and gardening. Those who knew her say laughter came easily to her and she never gave up when faced with life's challenges.

Survivors include her five children; her loving father, Ray; her brother, Tom; sister, Kelly; her step-mother, Patti; step-sister, Kath, Kathy Nickerson; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Donna; and her older brother, Ray Jr.

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