Suzan Mann

12/17/1959 ~ 4/23/20

April 23, 2020 Suzan Mann, with her family at her side at home, peacefully departed this life to join her beloved son Jason, his father Doug Westenskow and her parents Almon Dean and Ardell Swasey Gillespie and brothers Almon David Gillespie and Benjamin Locke Gillespie. Suzan put up a valiant fight for life with a commendable optimism after learning of a cancer diagnosis on her birthday in 2019.

Suzan is survived by her first born, Sarah Mann Harper and four grandchildren, Blake Alexander, Ashton Callins, Ray Mann and Elizabeth Mann, as well as sisters DeeAn Strub, Fern Stones, Inez Thomas, Jody Elizabeth Christensen, Delia D’nell Gillespie and brother Joseph Robison Gillespie.  

Suzan was born December 17, 1959 in Kanab, Utah, the fourth of nine children born to Almon Dean and Ardell  Swasey Gillespie. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Fillmore, Utah where Suzan was soon joined by sister Inez and then Jody Elizabeth. The family moved to North Salt Lake in the early 1960’s.

Suzan moved to Tennessee and quickly picked up a Tennessee twang but she never lost her love of home. Suzan moved back to North Salt Lake, Utah to help care for her Father and remained in Utah until her passing.  

Suzan faithfully participated in the caregiving and companionship of her parents as they aged. She, along with her local siblings, provided companionship and care. Suzan also enjoyed the lively interaction with mother’s best friend Leah Young who also became best friends with Suzan. She loved to sit and sew with her mother and made many quilts for family, friends, and charity.  She was very proud of all of her grandchildren and considered them her greatest accomplishment.  She worked at Sapp Brothers Truck Stop as a Shift Manager. Suzan treated co-workers and customers like family and developing a genuine love for them.  She worked as much as she was able to even as her health was failing as she didn’t want to be a burden to anyone and felt a sense of obligation to the company and her co-workers.  The family is thankful to Sapp Brothers for working with Suzan and for everything they have done for her.  The family is grateful for the many caregivers who looked after her.  A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when the family can gather.  Suzan will be interned in Provo, Utah next to her grandparents.