Sue Huff — 1954-2013
Longtime South Lake Tahoe resident Deborah Sue Huff died May 21. She was 59.
She was born April 4, 1954.
Sue and Curt Huff were married in their hometown of Benton Harbor, Mich., on Nov. 16, 1974. For their honeymoon they packed up their Chevy van and moved west to California.
They spent six years in Long Beach, where their two children were born, Dustin Huff (1975) and Jennifer Huff-Derks (1980).
Sue Huff
In fall 1980, they decided it was time for a new adventure and moved to South Lake Tahoe. The following year they experienced a true Tahoe winter. With obscene amounts of snowfall, the neighborhood banded together creating lasting friendships that eventually grew into their Tahoe family.
Sue worked for the Tahoe Daily Tribune for eight years. In that time more endearing friendships were made and their love for this community grew.
In 1988, Sue began to work for Lake Tahoe Community College. Sue worked at LTCC for 19 years before retiring in 2007. In that time she earned her associate of arts in Liberal Arts, a goal she worked hard for and was proud of achieving.
Sue was an avid outdoor enthusiast, spending summers exploring the Sierras, searching for hot springs and mountain lakes to camp by. Her love for singing songs with her kids as her husband played the guitar around the campfire has been carried on by her children.
When winter set in Sue enjoyed knitting while watching her family enjoy football or cross country skiing with friends.
In 2006, Sue was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. She did not let cancer slow her down. During the last seven years Sue has witnessed her daughter, Jennifer, marry Todd Derks in 2008 and her son, Dustin, marry to Hillary Wilson in 2009. She was the first to hold her three beautiful grandchildren, Attigen Wilson Huff (2010), Paxson Hill Derks (2012) and Anaya Sue Huff (2012).
Sue’s love of travel took her to Alaska, Hawaii, Bahamas, Nicaragua and all over the United States.
Sue will forever be missed by all those who knew her. Her beautiful smile would light up a room. Sue leaves a strong legacy of love behind with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Please join us in a celebration of life on May 26 at 2pm at Lake Tahoe Golf Course in Meyers to honor an amazing woman, mother, and wife.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sue Huff’s name to: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) or the I.A.T Cancer Clinic West, Atlantic Blvd., Freeport, Grand Bahamas.
Our Beautiful Sister (n law) Sue, forever Loved, forever missed!
My Heart, Thoughts, Love and Prayers are with you my dearest brother Curt and to you Dustin,Hillary,Jenny and Todd!
Our Beautiful Sister (n law) Sue, forever Loved, forever missed!
My Heart, Thoughts, Love and Prayers are with you my dearest brother Curt and to you Dustin,Hillary,Jenny and Todd!
She was a wonderful friend and will be missed by all.
Sue Huff was a genuine Lady who persevered with dignity through her last years with us here in SLT. A straight shooter and a lover of life — a camping, hiking, biking, cross-country/snowshoeing skiing, concert-going, music-loving buddy; an amazing parent, wife, sister, grandma, volunteer; and a best friend to everyone who knew her. She will most certainly be missed by those who loved her so much. Love and prayers to Curt, Dustin, Jenny and family. Peace Out my dear friend — you will be forever in my heart!
Sue was a strong and beautiful person who truly cared about people. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will be missed.
Dear Curt & Family,
So many prayers are going out to all of you…it is so hard to let our loved ones go home to be with our Lord…Sue will truly be missed on this earth…keeping her memories in our hearts are our comfort…
Love you,
cousins, Bob & Pamela (Henderson) Miller
Well said Angie! My thoughts and prayers go out to Curt, Dustin, Jenny, and the grandchildren! How lucky those little ones are that they were able to meet their wonderful grandmother! She will be missed by all who knew her!
Sue was the dearest friend a woman could have. She is a model for all of us about how to live a full life; be a dedicated parent, grandparent, and wife; persevere in the face of the greatest adversity, and live as the epitome of a true friend.
Who is a real friend? Who is a pillar to lean on when one’s life is in chaos? Who is a safe haven when life tosses us about? Her name is Deborah Sue, my best friend. I cherish your love and honor your spirit forever.
Will dearly miss a Beautiful Woman, Neighbor and Friend… soar high and forever Pretty Lady!
The last time I saw Sue we were walking along the shore of Lake Tahoe. I will cherish that memory. Her smile, her laugh, her friendship… what a sweetheart.
Curt and Family. Our hearts are so heavy for your loss. God reached out his hand to take his loving child home. Sue will be forever missed and we send you our love and prayers.
Curt and family, our love and hearts and prayers go out to you. What a tremendously positive impact Sue had on so many. She will be dearly missed, but always alive in the heart.
I knew she’d been battling this disease for years, but it’s still a shock. Hers was a welcome smile when I was at the College, and she had such a pleasant, easy-going manner that projected self-confidence despite her health challenges. I’ll miss seeing her down the aisles at Raleys.
Sue was pure sweetness with an iron core. She touched the lives of so many and will be sorely missed. Let’s all gather together to celebrate her memory and provide support to her family as they enter this difficult period of time. I have treated many patients with mesothelioma and Sue stands out as a courageous woman who fought this disease with dignity and loved life without bounds. God Bless Sue Huff, may she rest in peace. Mary Hesdorffer, Executive Director Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation http://www.curemeso.org
Sue has been a dear friend these past 7 years since meeting her in the Bahamas.
She will forever be in my heart – that beautiful smile and memories of playing in Abaco. Dear Curt – you and all your family have been blessed. Torrey
My thoughts and prayers are with Curt and the family. Sue was such a kind and sincere person. She fought long and hard against cancer and her strength and courage was always apparent. Her kind words and bright smile will be missed by all who knew her.
Love, your Bahamas friend,
Tammie