Susan Jenny Covell

Susan was born in Tacoma, the second child of Mel and Judy Pedersen, and grew up in Parkland, raising chickens, sheep, cats, and training dogs as service companions. She attended Franklin Pierce H.S. and earned her undergraduate degree at Washington State University, where she was a Sigma Chi Sweetheart and Independent Queen. During the summer months of her college career, she worked at Paradise Inn in Mount Rainier National Park.

A life dedicated to education included 33 years as a public school teacher in Seattle, where she taught remedial English, remedial math, and ESL at T.T. Minor, Beacon Hill, and Laurelhurst elementary schools and Franklin High School. After her retirement, Susan spent a decade as a volunteer at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) coordinating the adoption of cats.

Although she would hate to be defined by the disease that crippled her, her 29-year battle with multiple sclerosis did reveal the stunning quality of her character. Susan fought mightily for an ordinary existence under extraordinary circumstances, displaying strength and selflessness to a staggering degree. She never shed a tear for herself and never let any of us know a fraction of what it took for her to prevail on a daily basis. Susan lived and died worried more about others than for herself.

Susan is survived by her son, Jeffrey Covell; Greg Waas, significant partner; Lee Covell, Jeffrey’s father; Priscilla Featherstone, sister; Mark Pedersen, brother; Marilyn Pedersen, sister-in-law; Eric Pedersen, nephew; Marit Featherstone, niece; Jennifer Watterson, niece; Danny Boy, cat. Donations in Susan’s memory should be directed to PAWS, www.paws.org. There will be a service for Susan at Garden Chapel, Mt. View Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood (Tacoma), WA, 98499, on Saturday, December 1, at 4:00 P.M.