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Family, Friends and Brevard County Community Mourn Loss of Susan Boutin

By  //  March 2, 2017

passed away at home on Tuesday, February 28

Lifelong Brevard County resident, Susan Boutin, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 surrounded by her beloved family after a courageous 15-month battle with cancer.

Lifelong Brevard County resident, Susan Boutin, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 surrounded by her beloved family after a courageous 15-month battle with cancer.

Susan, age 57, was a close personal friend of mine and my family. We feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity over the past 14 years to come to know and love Susan and the Boutin family.

Family was everything to Susan. She is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 35 years, Rick; her daughter and best friend Christine Francis, her husband Bert and their two children Alex and Aubrey; and her son and “Baby-Boy” Ricky (Joe), his wife Becca and their two children, Colin and Quinn.

Born on Father’s Day 1959, Susan had a very close relationship with her father Walter A. Hannemann. At age 88, Mr. Hannemann had not been in good health for some time, but, on February 27 he unexpectedly took a turn for the worst and also passed away just 48 minutes before Susan on February 28. Some have speculated that Walter wanted to make sure that he was there to take Susan’s hand as they approached the Gates of Heaven.

The Boutin Family: (left to right) Aubrey Francis, Bert Francis, Chrissy Francis, Alex Francis, Susan, Rick, Colin Boutin, Ricky Boutin, Becca Boutin and Quinn Boutin.

Susan firmly established herself in our community as a star in her chosen field of marketing and communication. She began her career at Johnson Controls, ran her own consulting company for several years and, for the past 16 years, worked for Health First, Inc. as a Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent loss of our colleague Susan Boutin,” said Matthew Gerrell, Health First Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

“Susan was a cherished member of Health First’s Marketing and Communications Department. As a Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist for almost 16 years, she was vital in delivering essential information about the services Health First offers. She was extremely dedicated to her job, her colleagues and everyone in her life. There are no words to express the loss we feel. We have not just lost a colleague—we have lost an incredible human being and friend.”

Describing to a tee the impact Susan had on those around her, Jeni Hatter, Health First’s Director of Communications said, “Susan was that person who always had a smile on her face. No matter what challenge she faced, she smiled through it. Every day she came to work, she had an uplifting story, something funny or pictures of her grandkids to share. She loved her family more than words could say and believed that no matter what, family always came first. She impacted countless people at Health First and in our community. Her legacy will live on forever in all of us who loved her.”

Susan, center (holding photo of her and Tom Selleck), is surrounded by her Health First Marketing and Communications colleagues.

Susan truly loved her job, and her brilliance as an event planner was a special blessing when it came to family or friends’ weddings, birthdays or showers. However, she considered her roles of wife, mother and grandmother (Meme) to be her most fulfilling and rewarding. She was deeply devoted to her children and grandchildren, often stating that she “Loved them to the moon and back.”

As Susan was dealing with her illness and coming to the realization that her time here on earth was limited she said that her greatest regret was that she wouldn’t be able to see her grandchildren grow up and have an impact on their lives. But, the truth is that her wisdom and love, and the example she set in her life will continue to guide her children and their children throughout theirs.

When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. We all must take comfort in knowing that with Susan we are guaranteed to have an angel to watch over us now.

A viewing is scheduled on Friday, March 3, 2017, from 5-8 p.m. at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home, located at 5400 Village Drive in Viera, Florida. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, located at 5655 Stadium Parkway in Viera.

Flowers can be sent to Beckman-Williamson or donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Susan truly loved her job, and her brilliance as an event planner was a special blessing when it came to family or friends’ weddings, birthdays or showers. However, she considered her roles of wife, mother and grandmother (Meme) to be her most fulfilling and rewarding. She was deeply devoted to her children and grandchildren, often stating that she “Loved them to the moon and back.”