Susan "Suzie" Amanda Pollard
Jul 11, 1948 -
Aug 13, 2021
Susan "Suzie" Amanda Pollard of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away unexpectedly at home on Aug. 13, 2021. She was born to Lester and Erna Sorenson on July 11, 1948, in Racine, Wis. At the age of 6 months old, she traveled north to Alaska on the Alcan Highway with her parents and two brothers, Bob and Pete.
Suzie attended West High School and endured the 1964 earthquake. She often remarked how the community of Anchorage came together to rebuild. She graduated from high school in 1967.
She loved raising her family in Chugiak, Alaska, for nearly three decades, making her home on 5 acres near a creek at the end of a dirt road. In 1987, she enjoyed the year the family spent living in Hilo, Hawaii. She swam in the ocean every weekday after sending her kids to school, explored the Big Island, witnessed red hot lava flows, wore muumuus and enjoyed afternoon trade wind breezes.
Suzie was a dedicated employee. She greatly enjoyed working for anthropologist Stephan Braund and her work for various construction companies including Steel Engineering, SAIC, The Andrews Group, Calista and Alutiiq. She had a huge heart for her co-workers and was a second mom to many. She had a fantastic sense of humor - Laurel and Hardy handshake.
Suzie loved animals and children. She had an artistic eye and shared her talent of framing artwork with her daughter Amanda. She was keenly interested in rocks and geology. She had an avid interest in Alaska history and had an extensive library on the topic. She loved bonsai trees. She is known as "Grandma Suzie" to many. If you ever needed anything, Suzie would lend a helping hand.
Her family was her pride and joy. She enjoyed family barbecues, birthday celebrations, grandchildren's sporting events, reading and talking about movies. She relished long phone conversations with her son LeRoy when he was on the road for work; He tells the best stories! She was supportive and would always offer a listening ear to her loved ones. She stayed positive, kept a smile on her face and never failed to make the best of a situation. She did all she could to bring happiness to others.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight Pollard; and her first husband, Lyle Johnson. Suzie is survived by her daughter, Amanda (Ken) Andraschko; son, LeRoy (Sandi) Johnson; and grandchildren, Jonah and Elias Shearer, Daniel Andraschko, Lyle and Novalie Johnson.
We will celebrate Suzie's life on Sept. 4, 2021, with an informal gathering at the Alaska Botanical Garden, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road, starting at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to the Anchorage Animal Care & Control Center, 907-343-8122.
