Obituary of Susanne Catherine Ast

Susanne Catherine Ast Susanne Ast was born on May 22, 1970 in Portland, the third daughter of Vince and Nancy Ast. As a child she liked animals and enjoyed hiking with her family along the many trails of the Columbia River gorge. She attended Beaverton schools, and at Sunset High she played the violin in the school orchestra. She then obtained a degree in music from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. While considering a career teaching violin in public schools, Susanne developed Hodgkin's Disease and had to spend many hours undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. Undaunted, she worked full-time at Sheet Music Service in Portland while she completed a post-baccalaureate program at PSU in accounting and obtained her CPA certification. She worked in several accounting positions, the most recent being at Warner Pacific College in Portland. In her spare time she played the violin in several church groups and community orchestras in Portland and Hood River. Unfortunately, as the years went by, her heart began to fail due to the radiation therapy she had received twenty years earlier. It finally gave out on April 10, two days after Easter. Susanne is survived by her parents Vince and Nancy Ast of Portland, siblings Mary Ast of Vancouver, Ellen Ast of Beaverton, Joseph and Stephen Ast of Portland, and numerous other close relatives. She was predeceased by her older sister, Emilie Lemmons of St. Paul, Minnesota, and her cat Olivia. A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances may be sent to Warner Pacific College in Portland. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.