Susan Sear Girard

Susan Sear Girard, 78, was called to heaven by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, September 3, 2021. Surrounded by her children in love, she died peacefully at Saint Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Susan was born to Randolph Paul Sear and Frieda Richard Sear in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 17, 1943. She graduated from Thibodaux High School in 1961. Susan was the Miss Lafourche Parish Farm Bureau queen in 1961. She attended college at Nicholls State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1965. Susan met Kent Warren Girard and, after a four-year courtship, they were married June 3, 1964. After graduation, she worked for the state of Louisiana as a social worker until 1968, when they relocated to Lacey, Washington, and started their family. Paul Kent was born in 1969, and Maria Elena was born in 1976. Susan worked for DSHS aging and adult services for 30 years retiring in 2000. Susan was an active member of Thurston County Extension Homemakers Club, BRIGGS YMCA Olympia, and AAUW. She also was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she was involved in church missions, TNT meals, shower ministry meals, member of Presbyterian women of the year 2010, Sunday school teacher, and Sunday school member. She also was involved with Friends of Olympia Child Care Center, deacon, choir member, Rachel Circle, Sew Happy quilters, and did cooking and baking for church events. Susan was a lifelong sewer and embroiderer. She sewed most of her clothes as a young girl and woman, even sewing her wedding dress! She also sewed for her daughter, including dresses for dances and gowns for Rainbow Girls as well. Susan never met a stranger. She loved to meet new people and hear their stories. She had many rich friendships all over the country. Living in Washington state, far away from her sisters, family and friends, she was often on the phone staying in touch and always ready to catch up with anyone. Susan loved to cook for her family, but baking was her true joy. She loved desserts; some family favorites from scratch were German chocolate cake, pies, cookies and strawberry pizza to name a few. Susan loved cooking magazines, especially pioneer woman magazines, TV shows, and cookbooks. She was great at writing notes to people regularly. Susan was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. So many beautiful memories, such a rich life. Susan is survived by her son, Paul Kent and his wife Trish; daughter, Maria Elena and her husband Cameron and their children Dalton, Tori, Owen and Ruby; sister, Janice and her husband Aubrey; sister, Loraine; sister, Phyllis; and brother-in-law, Kurt and his wife Joan. Susan also had four great grandchildren. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Kent Warren Girard. Thank you through the years to Dial-A-Lift for all the care and transportation. Thank you to St Peter Hospital, especially nurses Tina, Marvella and Sam on the fourth floor. They are skilled, fantastic caregivers, and we are honored by the care given to our sweet mother Susan. To Patsy and Jennifer, you are so much more than caregivers, housekeepers, friends and errand runners. You are family! Susan and Kent so adored you both. Memorial donations to honor Susan may be made to Safe Place in Olympia; Westminster Presbyterian Church; or the Little Red School House Olympia. Service is available on Westminster Presbyterian Vimeo page. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.