Obituary of Suzanne Marie Bardin

MANCHESTER – Suzanne Marie Bardin, 73 of Manchester, formerly of Whitefish Montana, Moraga CA and Los Angeles, CA, entered into rest on November 9, 2022. The daughter of the late Charles Spriestersbach and Virginia Toombs, Suzanne was born on August 10, 1949, in Glendale, California. Suzanne was well traveled, having lived in California, Washington, Florida, Montana, Massachusetts, and Vermont. She earned a BSN in Nursing from Walla Walla College and worked as a registered nurse while raising her children...but, never wanting to let the grass grow beneath her feet, she spent many years pursuing everything under the sun and collecting yarn and fabric along the way after the children were grown. While She wasn't a veteran herself, Suzanne was immensely proud of both her father, Charles Spriestersbach and stepfather Paul Zofchak who served with distinction in WWII. Her son-in-law Robert Griffith who gave 20 years to his career in the Army before being medically retired after serving in Afghanistan. Granddaughter Alaena Griffith who deployed twice during Operation Enduring Freedom and performed counseling to soldiers as a Chaplains Assistant and Alyssa Griffith who is presently serving on deployment as a Blackhawk pilot with the New York National Guard. Robert Griffith II, who served in the New York National Guard, and William Griffith who is serving in the Vermont National Guard. Suzanne was a devout member of the Whitefish Assembly of God in Whitefish Montana where she frequently volunteered and touched the lives of many. She was passionate about bringing positive change wherever she could. Heifer International is a charity that was dear to her heart and aligned with her spirit. They promote giving with a purpose to impoverished areas of the world through gifts of livestock, or teaching life skills that will help support families with animals that produce fiber for knitting, flocks of ducks, geese, or chickens for eggs, or bee skeps for honey. She firmly believed in committing to giving to the world around her, and she gave whenever she could. Having moved during the COVID Pandemic, she had not established a local church in Manchester Vermont, and kept close ties and communication with her church family in Whitefish Montana. Suzanne was an avid gardener, quilter, and knitter. She had a mountain of fabric and yarn for her 'next project' and was often teased about it taking over the house. Who else had 2 sheep in the city for no other reason than to sheer, so she could card the wool, dye the wool, and then spin the wool to make yarn? She did. She had a wicked sense of humor that was strategically disguised behind her slight build and innocent blue eyes. She cared about her family and friends, but for the life of her, she COULD-NOT-COOK. Bless her, but turmeric is not a main ingredient in lasagna, and marinara does not belong anywhere near an enchilada. Let's not even get started on a Shoofly Pie, which will be lovingly prepared as her symbolic presence at all holidays and family functions. She was an avid reader, lover of music and of God, and had a wicked green thumb. Before she was 'Mom' or 'Grandma,' she had a whole separate life (who knew). She grew up in Los Angeles during the 60's, she was a surfer, model, and commercial actress. She couldn't wait to take on the world...so she packed her Karmann Ghia on her 18th birthday and headed off to New York City. She went to Woodstock, she marched, she protested, and then she returned to LA... Where she started her family. Survivors include her husband of 19 years, James Bardin, whom she married on May 14, 2003, in Martinez, CA. Her Children: Joshua Spriestersbach, Vedanta du Mas-Griffith (Robert Griffith), Ananda du Mas, Divina, and two stepsons whom she loved and adored as if they were her own, Andrew Bardin (Kat Bardin), Thomas Bardin. Fur babies, Buster The Cat, Daisy, Luna, and Mushu McGoo. Grandchildren: Meaghan Winans (Ryan Winans), Jaedyn Baker, Alaena Griffith (Jonathan Hendon), Alyssa Griffith, Robert Griffith, Brendyn Ireland, Devon Ireland Briege Baker, William Griffith. Great grandchildren: Haven Powell, Ashton Powell, and the soon to be appearance of Baby Hendon, who is due to make a splash into this world July 4, 2023. Even though she was a sister from another mother, Suzanne considered Julene Casler to be just as close as the real thing, she never had one and she cherished the moments they shared recently. Suzanne was predeceased by her brother and Stock Car Racer, Jimmy Jack in 1986; her mother, Virginia Zofchak in 1999; her father, Charles Spriestersbach in 2006; and stepfather, Paul Zofchak in 2008. Special Thanks To: All those who loved our mother, wife, and grandmother, Suzanne. In accordance with her wishes, Suzanne will be cremated and she will live on in our hearts and through the blossoms of an apricot tree overlooking one of her favorite places to see all the seasons as they come and go, but will undoubtedly shower us with the stunning beauty of her flowers in the spring and sweet fruit in the summertime. Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. To leave a special message for the family, please visit: SimpleChoicesCremation.com