SUZANNE PETERSON NEISWONGER Obituary

SUZANNE PETERSON NEISWONGER attended Valhalla High School in El Cajon, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Suzanne Peterson Neiswonger.

Graduation Year	Class of 1990
Date of Passing	Apr 19, 2008
About	Age 36 PETERSON NEISWONGER, SUZANNE (Suzie) MARIE Feb. 27, 1972 to April 19, 2008. Dr. Suzanne (Suzie) Marie Peterson Neiswonger passed away at her home in El Cajon on Saturday, April 19, 2008, following a seven-year battle with lung infections. Suzie was born on February 27, 1972, in La Mesa, CA. She attended Jamul Elementary and Oak Grove Middle School, and Valhalla High School. Suzie was a member of 4-H for 10 years raising and showing animals. Following her dream of becoming a veterinarian, she earned her B.S. in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience from UC San Diego in 1995, and graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis in 2000. Upon her return to San Diego, she joined the Rancho San Diego Animal Hospital. A year later, Suzie married the love of her life, Jim Neiswonger, III. Too sick to go on her own honeymoon, Suzie was soon diagnosed with more than just pneumonia. Over the last six years, Suzie found she had two genetic conditions affecting her lungs, one of which was Cystic Fibrosis. Coupled with two other genetic conditions, Suzie's immune system was unable to fight off lung infections over the last seven years. It is believed that Suzie received her first of many lung infections, from a bird, during her schooling at UC Davis. Through love, friendship, education, patience and humor, Suzie had a great impact on the many lives she touched. Even after her death, she is still giving to others. She asked that her 21-inch braid of hair be given to Locks of Love and her body donated to further research through MedCure. Suzie leaves behind her husband, Jim; her parents, Gene and Dale Peterson; her brother, Russell; and her grandparents, Lawrence and Laura Peterson. A Celebration of Life in Suzie's honor took place on Saturday, April 26th, at 4:00 p.m. at the Jamul Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Suzie's name to the National Jewish Medical Research Center, the #1 respiratory hospital in the United States and world-known for their research in helping those with lung diseases. Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Apr. 27, 2008