Former Island resident Suzanne M. (Schaab) Carel died unexpectedly on June 30, 2009, at age 50.

Mrs. Carel was raised on Mercer Island, where she attended St. Monica School and graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1978. She continued her education at Seattle University and Bellevue College, where she earned a degree in bookkeeping and finance in 2007. Mrs. Carel worked at the Mercer Island Country Club, Tape Town in Seattle and later for a medical insurance processing company in Kirkland. In 1984, she married James Carel at St. Monica Church.

It was Mrs. Carel’s involvement in Girl Scout camping trips that instilled a love of nature in her that lasted her whole life. As an adult, she joined the Seattle-based Mountaineers Club and enjoyed meeting people who taught her the skills to enjoy new experiences and adventures on Northwestern mountains and trails. She had recently been hiking a 22-mile portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. She was short by just a few miles, but intended to finish it when new hiking boots arrived. She also took up kayaking and canoeing, taking in the plant and wildlife around the Washington Arboretum.

Cooking treats and gifts for the holidays was also a favorite activity. There was always something special to eat under the Christmas tree from her.

Mrs. Carel volunteered for Hospice at Providence Hospital, Northwest Harvest, The Washington Arboretum, Save the Streams in Maltby, Wash., and at Maltby public schools. Mrs. Carel loved vacationing in Hawaii, Mexico, Lake Chelan, Lincoln City, Ore., Ocean Shores and camping along the Hoh River.

Mrs. Carel’s special love was her son, Joey. She was very proud of his active life and many accomplishments.

Mrs. Carel was preceded in death by her father, Gary J. Schaab, who died in 2006; and grandparents, Joyce and “Dutch” Erwin Schaab, and George Thornton and Sibyl Thornton.

She is survived by her son, Joey Carel; mother, Rita Thornton Schaab; sisters, Lynn LaLonde (Tom) and Sandra Schaab; brother, Gary Schaab; former husband, James Carel; special friends, Diane Porter, Jil Carel and Marilynn Errey, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and friends.

A memorial service for Mrs. Carel is set for 4 p.m., Aug. 5, at the Graham Visitor Center at the Washington Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive East in Seattle, Wash., 98112.

Remembrances are suggested to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, Northwest Harvest or the Washington Arboretum.