Sue Ellen Achilles

On August 22, 2022, Sue E. Achilles, loving wife, and mother of two, passed away at age 81. She grew up in Great Falls, Montana and was the oldest of five children. After graduating from Montana State University, she married her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Achilles, and they moved to San Francisco, CA to pursue their careers. They finally settled in Petaluma, CA, where they raised their children, Kirsten and Paul, and became well known members of the community.  Sue’s life was filled with accomplishments both personally and professionally. She was a bright and curious student throughout her life and was at the top of her class at Montana State, where she received a bachelor's degree in nursing; later she earned a master's degree in nursing with an emphasis in obstetrics and gynecology from UCSF. She spent almost three decades working in hospital settings and private practice and ended her career teaching nursing students at Santa Rosa Junior College. Sue was also actively involved in the American Association of University Women where she demonstrated leadership and participation in several projects to support the community. In addition to her years of commitment to nursing, Sue also found time to fulfill her dream of being a small business owner at Studio Gift Shop in downtown Petaluma. The store was a much-loved destination for bridal registries, collectables, and other beautiful gifts and became a one-of-a-kind Christmas store from November through January. She was also an amazing floral designer and prepared arrangements for weddings, holidays, and other occasions. Her greatest joy of all were her grandchildren, Chloe and Quentin, who came to visit her frequently in her retirement for “grandma time,” baking cookies, playing in her huge backyard, and going to the park. Sue’s love of animals cannot go unmentioned. She had several dogs and cats throughout her life, and she especially loved her Schnauzers.

Sue was best known for her intelligence, creativity, amazing cooking skills, and strong opinions. She is survived by her daughter, Kirsten, and her husband Thomas Poon; her grandchildren Chloe and Quentin Poon; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Beverly and Arnold Smedstad (and children Clyde, Aric, and Benjamin Smedstad), and Glenda and Terry Rothacher (and children Tera Seabaugh and Chad Rothacher); and sister-in-law Sharon Johnson, her husband Jerry, and their three children, Brandon, Trenton, and Tammi Johnson.

A service will be held on Friday, September 9 from 10am to 1:30pm at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary, 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, CA, followed by the burial at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, 430 Magnolia Avenue, Petaluma, CA.

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Viewing

Friday, September 09, 2022

10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Graveside

Friday, September 09, 2022

2:00 PM

Cypress Hill Memorial Park