Laura Suslick Deach, a nine year resident of the Northport, WA passed away on Nov. 3, 2015 in Colville, Wash., at the age of 55. Laura was born on Nov. 14, 1959 in Chicago, the daughter of Alvin and Edith (Paul) Suslick.

She attended school in Glencoe, IL where she built lifelong friendships attending Central Middle School and graduated from New Trier East High School in 1977. Laura then moved to Oregon where she attended the University of Oregon. She later transferred to Evergreen State College in Washington. Laura finished her education with a bachelor of science degree in marine biology.

She took her knowledge to San Diego where she worked at SeaWorld. While in San Diego, she became established within the National Marine Fisheries and soon moved to the Seattle area. Laura worked two tours on a Taiwan fish processing boat in Alaska as their fisheries biologist and catch inspector with the National Marine Fisheries. Returning stateside, Laura worked as a marine biologist in both Hood Canal and Neah Bay. While in Neah Bay she met commercial fisherman Chuck Deach. Chuck offered Laura a job on his fish boat that next year which she accepted. Their friendship soon grew into a 30 year relationship, with 26 years of marriage which began on Nov. 11, 1990 in a small church on Lopez Island, Wash.

She and Chuck spent much of their time at sea but always considered their base of operations and home on Lopez Island. They fished the coastal waters off Washington primarily and ventured into Alaskan waters. They ran a small crew most years but always enjoyed their “honeymoon fishing trips” when alone and adrift together. They retired in 2006 and resided on Lopez Island until moving to Northport, in 2007.

Laura enjoyed the solace found while at sea and embraced that same quiet existence at her home in Northport. She had a great passion for canning and food preparation. Laura read countless books while at sea and on land. She had two canine companions “Lebo & Katie” that shared her time both at sea and at home and enjoyed their long daily walks with Laura. Her love for close family and friends will be missed by those who had the privilege to know her.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Deach, at the home, two brothers, Kenneth Suslick, Champaign, IL, Richard Suslick and his wife, Margaret, Annandale, VA; sister, Janet Suslick, Stockholm, Sweden; nieces and nephews, Benjamin Suslick, Gina Suslick, Phillip Suslick, Jaokim Pejer, Daniel Pejer, Daniel and Nichole Deach; and a host of extended family.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Northport Library, Northport School

District, and or the Lopez Union Cemetery Association on Lopez Island. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com .