Susan Lynne Slattery Nessmith, 43, of Pembroke Pines/Hollywood/Davie, Florida passed away on Friday, September 23, 2011. After having been surrounded by her immediate family for many months, Susan held her mother’s hand, took her last breath, and then she was gone. A daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, a lover, a wife, a mother, a friend, a playmate, a charmer, a mermaid, a partner-in-crime, an instigator, a picky eater, a giver, a gymnast, a poet, a talker, a fire-ball, a salesman, a leader, a tight-rope walker, a manager, a seeker, a risk taker and a love -that was Susan, or at least a small peek into who she was and who she continues to be in our hearts.

She was diagnosed with small-cell lung and brain cancer in January of 2011 and fought it for over nine months with dignity, grace, and humor. Susan’s family gives profound thanks to the angels who fought with her and cared so deeply for her at the end of her life: Donna DiGrande-Kappes at Vitas Hospice, Jorge Tschebotarjew, Muriel, Dougie, Ruby and Ms. Francois at Hillcrest Nursing Home, and Gladys Valentine, Karla McWilliams, Joy Clifton, Karen Hillis and the entire staff at McMahon-Tomlinson Nursing Home, Amanda Grieve at Dr. Maury’s office, as well as the many other angels that surrounded her.

Susan is survived by her precious, beloved children, Shelbie Patricia Nessmith and Aidan Blake Hansard; her mother, Gloria Lewis; her grandmother, Ann Lewis; her sister, Lisa Slattery Cordeiro and Jim; her brother, John Slattery and Holly; her sister Heather Slattery and Jim; her nieces and nephews, Samantha Slattery, Vance Slattery, Marshall Slattery, and Sophia; her Oklahoma family Donnie Hansard, Theresa and Art Renninger, and Joanne McCullough Teets, her Griff’s Western family Al Griffin and his team, as well as extended family and beloved friends in Florida, Oklahoma and beyond. At her death, Susan was reunited with her husband, Paul David Nessmith who died in 1998, her father, Dennis Michael Slattery who died in 1989, and the many others she has loved so well.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at Boyd-Panciera Funeral home located at 6400 Hollywood Boulevard, FL 33024 across from McArthur High, on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 2-6pm. A formal memorial service will begin at 4pm with a covered-dish reception to follow onsite. The family plans to wear bright colors because Susan loved them – especially yellow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to: Susan Slattery Nessmith Memorial Fund, 1308 NW 126th Avenue, Sunrise, FL 33323 in aid of her two children.
Susan’s family looks forward to gathering with the people that have known and loved her.