BOMBER MEMORIAL

SUSAN JEANETTE "SUE" BIXLER PACHNIACK ~ Class of 1966
May 20, 1948 - August 11, 2008

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Susan was born in Richland on May 20, 1948 to Bob and Jeanette "Jenny" Bixler, the middle of five children. She passed away at the age of 60 on August 11, 2008.

Susan grew up in Richland where she attended Jefferson Elementary School, Chief Jo Junior High School and graduated with the Class of 1966 from Richland's Columbia High School. Once she graduated she went to Peninsula College in Port Angeles, WA.

Sue was a typical young girl. She participated in Job's Daughters in high school with Julie Gustafason ('66), Linnea Gates ('66) and Becky Rulon ('66). In the summer she was a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons at the "Big Pool".

She married William Arnett in March 1973. They had a son, Jason Arnett, and then the family moved to California to live.

In 1982 she married Ken Pachniack in Richland. Their daughter, Teresa, was born August 1984. The family moved to Michigan to be near Ken's family in 1986. It was there that she persevered and finished her BA degree in Graphic Arts. Sue was very talented and creative. She became a talented glass artisan and shop owner. She provided very personalized glass making, giving customers her individualized attention.

She loved to laugh and make people laugh. Above all, Sue's greatest gift was the love of her family.

Sue is preceded in death by her father, Robert Bixler.

She is survived by her mother, Jenny; her husband, Ken Pachniack (near Detroit, MI); her son, Jason (Sarah) with two children, Marissa and Erica Arnett (Portland, OR); her daughter, Teresa Pachniack; her son, Scott (Dawn) Pachniack with two children, Brenden and Tyson Pachniack (Detroit, MI); her four siblings: Bill Bixler ('60), John Bixler ('64), Jim Bixler ('72) and Nancy Bixler Meinhardt ('74-HHS).

Susan was cremated and wanted her ashes to be sprinkled on the Columbia River. A memorial was held for Susan at 5:30pm on Saturday, September 13, 2008 on the banks of the Columbia River behind Sterling's Restaurant (to the left of the boat dock). Mrs. Bixler invited classmates and friends to come to her house after the memorial for refreshments.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on August 19 and September 10, 2008.

NOTE: Her mother, Jenny, passed away on May 29, 2016.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).