Suzanne Boyer

Suzanne Boyer passed away peacefully in her home on January 8, 2024 (age 65) surrounded with love and her family.

Suzanne is survived by her husband and best friend for 45 years, Rock Boyer, her loving sons and their spouses, Adam Christopher Boyer (Vanessa), Aaron Rock Boyer (Marissa), Braden James Boyer (Mandy), Tanner Benson Boyer (Eliza), Mike (Erica), and stepson Cameron Boyer. Suzanne was clearly the matriarch of her family.  She influenced and inspired her precious ones, including her 21 grandchildren.

Born on March 20, 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Suzanne was welcomed with love by her parents, Lou Jean Cayton and Stanley de Jong.  When her father passed away at a young age, Suzanne was just two years old.  Her mother, Lou Jean, then married Richard E. Shaw in 1961. He became her “Dad” and loved her as one of his own children. Suzanne grew up in the Cottonwood area of Salt Lake City and graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1976. Two years later, she married her Rick’s College sweetheart, Rock Boyer in the Salt Lake Temple on April 29, 1978. After Rock graduated from BYU in 1980, Rock and Suzanne moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They lived there for twelve years and grew very close to the Boyer family. They all loved her bright, joyful, and fun spirit. Aaron and Braden were born there.  In 1992, Rock and Suzanne moved to Sandy, Utah where they raised their boys in their home in Alta Cove. 

Suzanne was a joyful soul and brought her light to her family and all who knew her.  As a child, she loved to dance, sing silly songs, and just “have fun”!  She was the youngest of her six brothers and sisters until Richard came along and was the darling of the family. She was known to us as “Suzy.” With shiny blond hair and the brightest blue eyes, she captured all of our hearts with her zest for life.  As a young woman in her twenties, she discovered aerobic dancing and fitness.  Her drive to be fit carried her through life.  She taught aerobic dance classes, including Jazzercise, which combined her love of dancing with fitness.  She also attended fitness classes at the gym and walked for miles almost daily.  Suzanne basked in the outdoors: hiking, biking, boating, water-skiing, treading water with “no hands,” and just enjoying the sunshine.  When Suzanne found her paddleboard, it brought a new light to her eyes! She started most Bear Lake mornings either walking or paddleboarding. Suzanne loved to be “on the water”!

She found her passion for sewing in her teenage years and never lost it throughout her life.  She tried and mastered every sewing technique possible, with beautiful and stunning results. Suzanne worked part time for over ten years at the Bernina sewing store and taught sewing classes when her boys were young. Once the boys were grown, she often made her granddaughters matching dresses or skirts for Easter and Christmas. She’s also made multiple blankets for each of her son’s families. They are highly prized and fought for by the kids when they want a warm hug from Grandma!  Suzanne’s quilting hobby became a constant source of creativity and enjoyment. She was truly an artist with fabric and patterns, crafting over 60 quilts in the past ten years. How Suzanne loved her Bernina sewing machine!  One of her mantras was, “Sewing is my therapy!”  This passion truly helped her cope with her worries and allowed her to set them aside to do something she loved. Suzanne created a close connection with her sisters and family through the joy of quilting and sewed several quilts together with her sisters Janell and Sherry, and her sister-in-law, Bonnie.

Suzanne had a career as a Bank Manager for Wells Fargo for 25 years and just retired in May of 2023. Her winning personality and nurturing ways were assets to advancing her in the workplace.  She was respected for her integrity and kind understanding for those she interacted with, both the employees under her management and the customers at the bank. 

Suzanne taught us the meaning of living well and uniting family.  As a mom and grandma, she showed her children and grandchildren how to live life to the fullest.  They knew they were her love and priority; her pride and joy. When some of her children moved away from Salt Lake, Suzanne and Rock would travel to where they were, not willing to miss out on time with them.  She sacrificed her time and energy to offer them the best of everything. Suzanne was an amazing listener. She would listen with a compassionate heart, attending with full focus, and then offer encouragement.  Her positivity and love was felt by everyone. She inspired Rock and her children through her example of Christ-like love, kindness, and service. She lived “Faith over fear” and “I can do hard things!” paving the way for us all. She taught us acceptance for harsh realities with “It is what it is”. She was a strong woman and never gave up the fight right until the end.

Suzanne connected her family with tradition.  Family dinner traditions topped the list.  She always cooked with flair: Boyer burgers, roast beef and mashed potatoes, smoked meats, salads, homemade bread, rolls, raspberry “AND” strawberry jam.  If there was a chance to play a game, Suzanne would take it! Cover your assets, Wizard, Charades, Sequence, It’s in the Bag, Phase 10 (hours), Squeak, 31, and Hearts to name a few! 

The traditions of Bear Lake always held a special place in her heart.  Suzanne shared the dream of “the Gathering Place” with her mom, brothers, and sisters.  How excited and happy she was to have her own place there on the hillside.  She loved a good campfire with songs (her family could not believe she knew so many!), hot dogs, and gourmet s’mores, 4-Wheeler and Side x Side rides up Fish Haven canyon, beach parties at North Beach or just in front of the cabin, afternoon picnics on R-Boat, shopping in Garden City for pink hoodies and cute earrings, or just hangin’ with Jody and Janell! 

Suzanne lived her life blessing and serving others. She was a joyful example of selfless giving to family and neighbors alike. Her neighbors knew that she would be the first to sign up to serve others when given an opportunity. Suzanne had a fervent testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an incredibly faithful person throughout her life: faithful to God and her covenants, faithful to her husband and family, and faithful to her friends. She served the Lord diligently in the organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Suzanne was a gracious example of love and kindness.  Her joyful exuberance for life was shared with so many as she touched their hearts throughout her life.  Words cannot express how greatly you’ll be missed, Suzanne. Your bright light will never fade away from our hearts.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, January 19th, at the Sandy Willow Creek 6th Ward at 2115 East Sublette, Sandy, Utah 84093. A viewing will be Thursday, January 18th from 6-8 pm at the Memorial Murray Mortuary at 5850 S 900 E, Murray, Utah, 84121 (801-262-4631) Also, a viewing will be held prior to the funeral services from 10:30 - 11:45 AM at the Sandy Willow Creek 6th Ward at 2115 East Sublette, Sandy, Utah 84093. Interment will be at Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 S. Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah.

Please wear pink in honor of Suzanne's favorite color and bright personality!