Susan Hannan Peterson passed peacefully on July 14, 2023. Sue was born to Frances and Clarence (Brownie) Brownell on Jan. 20, 1943 and grew up on the family farm in Silverton, Oregon. She attended Victor Point School, graduated from Silverton High School in 1961, and cherished life-long friendships with many of her classmates.
In 1962 she married Michael Hannan and moved to Tampa, Florida where he was stationed in the Air Force. While in Florida, they welcomed their first child, Mark. Following Michael’s military service, they moved back to Oregon, where they welcomed two more children, Beth and John. Mike and Sue were married for 30 years, raising their family in Silverton until his death in 1992.
Sue was very active in the community as a member of philanthropic organizations including Epsilon Sigma Alpha and Kiwanas. Sue worked for many years at the local Silverton photography studio purchasing it in 1980. She loved her work running Hannan Photography for eight years and continued to facilitate Silverton’s “Baby Contest” for many years after she sold the business to the Almquist family.
Sue began a home-based childcare business in the late ’80s, helping raise many children until her retirement in 2008. Sue loved and was loved by the children and families she worked with.
In 2011, Sue was reunited with high school sweetheart, LeRoy Peterson. They were married in 2012 and spent the next 11 years enjoying friends and family, splitting their time between their homes in Silverton and Arizona.
Sue will be remembered by all for her passion for photography, love of all things Christmas, amazing mac and cheese, and an uncanny ability to remember the birthday of every person she ever met.
Sue is survived by her husband, LeRoy; her children and their spouses, Mark (Jennifer) Hannan, John (Toni) Hannan, and Beth (Todd) Irwin; ten grandchildren, Kyler, Cooper, Kellen, Chloe, Jack, Luke, and Grace Hannan and Katie, Hanna, and Sarah Irwin.
Sue loved life and will be greatly missed by many friends and family.
A memorial was held at First Christian Church on July 22, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Silverton High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton.
