Susan Michele Keister, passed peacefully on Aug. 22, 2022, at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle after fighting a courageous battle with many cancers for several years. Susan was born in Everett, Washington on June 6, 1941. She attended Everett High School and went on to study at Washington State University. She married William Rucker in 1961 and gave birth to five wonderful children.
Later in life she entered the University of Washington where she received a degree in Art History. Susan married Jeffrey Pedersen and together they ran the General Petroleum Museum in Seattle. Art became her passion, a passion she shared with children, grandchildren, and so many others. She spent many hours in her studio painting, studying new art forms and taking classes from the masters.
In 2003 she married Gary Keister and together in 2013 they founded Bayside Housing in Port Hadlock. She was a constant presence at Bayside relating to both the guests and staff. She was loved by many for her kindness, compassion, and the non-judgmental way that she related to people. Susan was a positive influence on each person that she interacted with, and there were many.
Susan’s greatest joys were family, her lifelong friends, reading, cooking, gardening and being a grandmother. She is survived by her husband Gary, who cherished her. She is also survived by her daughter, Mary (Dave); sons, Bill (Christopher), Michael (Julie), David (Molly) and Dan (Sol); brother, Mick Baker (Linda); stepsons John Keister (Cassie), Matt Keister, Jeff Pedersen (Su); and stepdaughters Megan Schmidt (Gary) and Jennifer Pedersen. Also surviving her are the precious grandchildren, Megan Rucker, Lily Rucker, Jake Rucker, Emily Rucker, Gracie Rucker, Travis Rucker, Zane Rucker, Stella Rucker, Delaney Guyer, Lucy Guyer, Evie Rucker, William Rucker, Vlade Keister, Viviana Keister, Minka Keister, Mila Keister, Wes Schmidt, Miles Schmidt, Spike Graham, Sam Pedersen and Saskia Pedersen
Her favorite day of the year was Thanksgiving, and she would invite, beside family, anyone who was without a place to feast. When she operated the General Petroleum Museum, she would host well over a hundred guests each Thanksgiving.
Funeral Mass of Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the life of Susan Michele Keister will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022 at St. Joseph Church, 732 18th Ave. E, Seattle, Wash.
A Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Old Alcohol Plant Inn, Port Hadlock, Wash. She will be laid to rest at Grand View Cemetery, Anacortes, Wash.
Remembrances may be made to the Susan M. Keister Legacy Endowment for Bayside Housing & Services whose mission is to support transitional and permanent supportive housing.
To share memories of, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/susan-keister
