June 20, 1936 - November 19, 2025
Suzanne was born June 20, 1936, to Andrew and Sue Hopman in what she considered the most beautiful place in the world, Ventura, California. She also felt she was born in the best of times. Her growing-up years were magical to her. The friends she made growing up formed lifetime associations. She left the finite world on November 19, 2025, with family and caregivers at her bedside.
During her teen years, she participated in several dance recitals, sang in the church choir, and on the local radio station, KVEN, as well as acting and sang in school plays and musicals.
As an adult, she moved to West Los Angeles, where she was employed as an assistant to the Industrial Relations Manager of Douglas Aircraft, becoming one of the first women to participate in company/union negotiations, sometimes crossing a picket line to do so.
Tired of the big city, Suzanne returned to Ventura, where she became an assistant to Bechtel Corporation's project manager charged with building the Mandalay Steam Station at Oxnard Beach. While attending a night class at Ventura College, she met Paul Pyeatt. He had just returned from serving four years on active duty during the Korean War. After their courtship, they were married in the Ventura Community Church. With Paul's completion of classes at Ventura College, they moved to Palms, California, where Paul attended UCLA. Suzanne managed two 24-unit apartments, as well as welcoming a new baby boy.
In Paul's senior year, his father died unexpectedly, and the couple moved to Camarillo so that Paul could take over the reins of the family business, Oxnard Furniture. Before long, Paul had transformed the business into Pyeatt's Interiors, with the largest Design Studio in Ventura County, along with a burgeoning furniture refinishing business. Paul and Suzanne added a daughter to their happy family.
All too soon, Paul became ill and died at age 34. Suzanne was blessed two years later when she met and married Paul Waters, who was also widowed with two small children. The children all meshed together and seemed to relish being one big happy family. Before long, there was another family member on the way, and Suzanne and Paul took the family to see Yours, Mine and Ours as a way of breaking the news. The children were all under 10 years of age, and it seemed like they understood it more when presented to them in Lucille Ball fashion. As time passed by, the girls could hardly wait to get home from school to watch The Brady Bunch as they identified with the aspects of that sitcom.
Paul was working in his practice and in a partnership at the Stockton Medical Clinic that kept him working long hours. Suzanne soon joined the San Joaquin Medical Society Alliance, which was more like a Welcome Wagon for new medical families to the community. She made wonderful friendships and devoted many hours to the organization, later becoming president, eventually earning the Doreen Evert Member of the Year Award. She also joined the Junior League, earned Sustainer status, and was awarded the Eleanor Young Award for volunteering. She served on the Child Abuse Prevention Auxiliary Board for 15 years and was President of that organization. Suzanne was also a member of AAUW, the North Stockton Redevelopment Committee, a Dameron Hospital Trustee for 30 years, and a member of the Stockton Golf and Country Club. It was a joy for her to volunteer, but most important to her were the friends she made along the way.
While her children were growing up, she was always one of the children's room mothers, and she joined all the school PTAs, chairing fund raisers and graduation parties. At one time, all 5 children were in 5 different schools. She was a bluebird leader, sponsored swim team fund raisers, supported Little League, YMCA Adventure Guides (formerly Indian Guides), and Boy Scouts. Through all her children's growing-up years, she was adamant that the family all come together for a home-cooked meal in the evening, where everyone could share the events of their day.
During this time, she received her AA degree from Delta College and enrolled at the University of San Francisco. Unfortunately, illness intervened before completion of all the coursework. Subsequently, she received the gift of her son’s kidney in transplant surgery. It lasted for 30 grateful years.
She earned her real estate license and managed the family rentals for over 40 years. Her hobbies were gardening, cooking, bridge, and traveling with her husband. All of her children were special to her. She couldn't have asked for a more loving and caring husband. He was her partner and soul mate.
She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Paul Pyeatt, daughter Arianne Elise Pyeatt, brother John Paul Davis, and sisters Patty McCaughin and Evelyn Maclanahan. She is survived by her husband, Paul Waters, M.D., sons Drew Pyeatt, Doug Waters, Brian Waters, M.D. (Jamie), and daughter Ann Waters (Larry), as well as her grandson, James Waters, and cousins both in America and in Holland.
FUNERAL SERVICES:
Funeral services will be conducted by Cherokee Memorial Park on December 5, 2025, at Evergreen Chapel at 11:00 A.M. A graveside service and burial will be carried out at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura, California, on December 10, 2025, at 10:00 A.M.
Special thanks to Yolonda, Maria, Yvett, Monica, and Adriana, whose exceptional care was instrumental in assuring comfort was maintained in her final days. Donations may be made to the Child Abuse Prevention Council or the charity of your choice.
May God bless you all.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Waters family.
