SUZANNE VIVRETTE McGRATH
July 16, 1943 ~ February 7, 2016

Our beloved Suzanne lost her 2 1/2 year battle with cancer on February 7, 2016. Sue was born in Los Angeles, California as the oldest of three children of Don and Kathryn Vivrette. She was raised in Manhattan Beach and Fullerton, graduating from Fullerton Union High School. Four years later, she earned a degree from UC Berkeley and immediately embarked on a trip around the world. Travel remained a life-long passion as did her love of skiing. On a fateful day in July 1971, she attended a happy hour at Isidore's in Newport Beach. There she met her husband John. They were married later that year in a union that lasted over 44 years. They were long-time residents of Mission Hills, where they purchased their home in 1975. She had a career of over 30 years as a public school teacher with the majority of that time spent in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. During this time, she influenced countless students and fellow teachers. During her summers, she served as a math consultant to teachers by working for the Marilyn Burns Organization. She enjoyed a wide circle of friends and neighbors who played bridge, travelled and raised children together. Sue is survived by her husband, John; sister, Nancy; brother, Donald; daughters, Shannon and Erin; son-in-law, Jeffrey; and two grandchildren. Our family wishes to thank Dr. Lyudmila Bazhenova and her staff at Moores Cancer Center for their professional and compassionate care, and the medical staff at Thornton Hospital for making her final days pain and stress free. A celebration of her remarkable life will be held on Saturday, February 13 at 1:30PM at Tom Ham's Lighthouse, 2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Special Delivery, 4021 Goldfinch St., San Diego, CA 92103, where she volunteered delivering food to people living with HIV/AIDS for many years.

Published in The San Diego Union Tribune from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12, 2016

Submitted by Frances Rios