Suzanne Bauquier Gayda's Obituary
Suzanne was born to Oliver and Louise Bauquier and grew up in San Jose, California. She graduated from the University of California, Davis and received her teaching credential from the University of California, Los Angeles. Later, Suzanne earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration at Pacific Lutheran University. In 1990, Suzanne married Michael Gayda. He was the love of her life. Suzanne and Mike shared many common passions, including a deep concern to provide a life-changing education for all children and a desire to help improve the lives of people in need. Suzanne had an impressive 33-year career serving the Bethel School District. As an elementary education teacher, Suzanne equipped hundreds of children to learn well and to enjoy the learning process. In 1993, Suzanne became a principal at Thompson Elementary School. One of her greatest accomplishments as a principal was to establish Thompson as a member of the No Excuses Network, because Suzanne believed that all kids under her care would be successful and expected herself, her teachers, and school staff to do whatever it took to make that happen. As a result, the trajectory of many students’ and families’ lives were changed toward long-term success.
Suzanne positively impacted many people’s lives. She retired in 2016 to take exceptional care of her ailing husband. After his death, she made the most of her retirement years. She served at Pacific Lutheran University helping to coach education students to be prepared to work effectively in the classroom. She enjoyed substitute teaching at the Muckleshoot Tribal School. She became Chairperson of the Pacific Northwest Lion’s Eyeglass Recyclying Center (LERC) and equipped people worldwide to receive much-needed refurbished eyeglasses. Suzanne actively served at Spanaway Lutheran Church. She helped to establish the Spanaway Lutheran Church Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) program served and served on their board. She also served on the congregation board and was president of the congregation at the time of her passing. She traveled extensively, including Greece, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Scotland, Amsterdam, and several countries in Africa. In addition, Suzanne invested a lot of time with her family and friends across the Pacific Coast. She loved to read, ride her bike, walk with friends, crochet, grow and arrange flowers, watch birds, go to the theatre, and give generously of her time, talents, and finances. She was proud to be able to fund the education of indigenous children who aspire to become teachers in a remote village in Malawi, located in Southeastern Africa.
Suzanne is survived by her sister, Lisa Marie Bauquier (formerly Studley); her nephews and nieces (Sergey Studley and his wife Anya; Tyler Studley and his wife Joanna, and their children Cahyra and Tobias; Misha Studley and his wife Mica; Cameron Studley; Liza Studley and her husband Austin; Ashura Bauquier, Vee Studley; and Dee Studley), and many dear friends, colleagues, Lion’s Club members, church family members; and community members. Suzanne was preceded in death by husband Michael Gayda, and her parents Oliver and Louise Bauquier.
A celebration of Suzanne’s life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 1:00pm at Spanaway Lutheran Church, located at 16001 A St. S. in Spanaway, Washington. If you have questions about that event, please contact Pastor Lydia at Spanaway Lutheran Church or Lisa Bauquier at [email protected]. If desired, you may make a donation in Suzanne Gayda’s honor to one of the following: 1) the Northwest Lions Club Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC) (https://www.lionsnwlerc.org/); 2) the Spanaway Lutheran Church Before and After School Enrichment Program (make payment to Spanaway Lutheran Church and write BASE for Suzanne on the memo line), and/or 3) to the Spanaway Lutheran Church Fund to Train Indigenous Teachers in Malawi (make payment to Spanaway Lutheran Church and write Malawi for Suzanne on the memo line).
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