Suzanne Lorraine Purdy was born on July 20, 1942, in Portland. She grew up primarily in San Diego, attending San Diego Academy. While studying nursing at Loma Linda, she married Bob Shetler in 1962. They had four sons: Mike, Dennis, Lance and Jon. She moved back to San Diego in 1970 and later divorced in 1978.
Suzanne was passionate about food. She always had a recipe or recommendation to give. She was equally passionate about the Chargers, holding season tickets from 1970 until 2006. She’d watch every game until the refs upset her too much.
She was incredibly dedicated to her immediate, extended and work family. She kept prayer groups, always attended family reunions in Oregon and remained close to those she’d worked with.
The granddaughter of an Adventist pastor, she was devoutly religious and spiritual. A longstanding member of the SDA Church, she attended Bonita Valley and later Murrieta Springs. Once she moved back to San Diego in 2021, she watched Loma Linda University and Pioneer Memorial church services from home.
Starting as a home health nurse in 1978, Suzanne led several home health agencies before joining West Health Care in 1990. Alongside Tanya Cordero, she helped build it into San Diego’s largest home health agency. She then became Paradise Valley Hospital’s Vice President of Patient Care Services.
Suzanne passed peacefully at home on August 30, 2026, surrounded by her family, following a sixteen-year battle with cancer. She’s survived by three siblings, three children, four daughters-in-law, eleven grandchildren and three great-grandsons.
