Obituary of Suanne Dodge

Services will be held, Saturday, March 19, 2016, for Sue Dodge, a beloved figure in the seminal days of Santa Cruz County women's athletics programs in the 1970s. She passed away from pneumonia on February 27, at the age of 56. Born in San Francisco on October 10, 1959, Sue was raised on the west side of Santa Cruz. In the aftermath of Title IX, which required equal access to young women in high school athletic programs, Sue emerged as one of the county's first two-sport stars in both softball and basketball at Santa Cruz High and then Cabrillo College. Her nickname on her Santa Cruz High softball team was "Slats." Sue's athletic prowess first developed at Mission Hill junior high, leading her team to a county basketball championship in 1974. It was at Santa Cruz High that she made her mark throughout the region, leading her Cardinal teams to Monterey Bay League championships in basketball and softball. At least two of her high school teams went undefeated. She was also a star on the Cardinals "Powder Puff" football team. Sue's individual accolades were many. In 1974, she was MVP of the MBL high school basketball tourney. She received numerous all-league, all-tourney, all-County and MVP awards throughout her four-year high school career, and was named a high school All- American in 1977. At Cabrillo, she also excelled in both sports, leading the Lady Seahawk basketball team to the Division II state championships, where she was named MVP of the state tourney. Following graduation from Cabrillo College, Sue obtained an athletic scholarship and continued her career at San Diego State University, once again playing both basketball and softball. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in 1982. After returning to Santa Cruz County, she continued to play in local softball leagues with beloved friends and teammates for many years. Sue continued her education and worked hard to graduate from the Radiologic Technology program at Cabrillo College in 1994. She soon began a career in the X-ray field. With her friendly and welcoming demeanor, she was very popular among her patients. Sue worked for many years at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy and was named "Technician of the Year" in 1996. St. Louise Hospital recognized Sue for her "constantly caring and kind approach and demeanor with all patients and staff." Sue was known for her "caring and kind approach" with everyone she came in contact with. She loved her dogs, Dude and Shooter, very much. Once she found a kitten at Saint Louise and brought him home and named him Louie. She cared greatly for those in her life and shared with them her handmade works of art. She will be greatly missed. Sue is survived by her father, William "Bill "Dodge, her brother Daniel Dodge, sister-inlaw Maria Dodge, her nephews Daniel Dodge Jr., Steven Dodge, Richard Dodge, Andrew Alvarez and numerous grand nieces and nephews. Saturday's services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Vintage Faith Church, 350 Mission St., Santa Cruz, with a memorial luncheon reception following those services at Star of the Sea Hall, 515 Frederick St., Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Sue's honor to your favorite charity.