Suzanne Mary Bauch

Suzanne Petersen Bauch, age 76 of Greensboro, Georgia, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2022, at the Glen at Lake Oconee Village. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 2 o’clock PM at the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge (1116 Greensboro Road, Eatonton, Georgia 31024).

Born September 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, Suzanne Mary Petersen (Suzi) was the only child of Ken & Irene Petersen. Suzi and her husband of 57 years, James (Jim) Bauch, met in 1964 at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago during a car show, where she was named “Miss Dream Rod,” making her a bonafide beauty queen. They were married a month later and moved around the country while Jim was in the Navy. They raised their three boys in the Chicago suburb of Manhattan, Illinois, where they had wonderful friends and neighbors. Jim and Suzi spent many fun times and made great memories with their friends in the Vintage Tin Car Club. They eventually retired to Lake Oconee, in central Georgia. Suzi’s most notable career was her decade-long tenure as a flight attendant for both ValuJet Airlines and AirTran Airways, where she had many fond memories, lifelong friends, and colleagues. Together, Jim and Suzi had a passion for travel and drove many miles in their motorhomes across the country. Puerto Peñasco, Mexico and Yuma, Arizona are where she longed to be when not home at their Lake Oconee retreat. Suzi was an active member of the LOLAs (Lake Oconee Ladies Auxiliary) for the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge #2849. In 2004, at the age of 58, she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. With a fierce passion for life, she remained in remission until the cancer metastasized in late 2019. She fought hard until the very end when the aggressive cancer outpaced medical treatment. Her zest for life was only equaled by her love for her family and friends. Always putting others first, she was a delight to be around, had a contagious smile, and was loved by all that were blessed to know her.

She is survived by her loving husband, James “Jim” Bauch of Greensboro, Georgia; sons James “Jimmy” Bauch (Kelly) of Canton, Georgia, Jeffery Bauch (Kris) of John’s Creek, Georgia, and Jay Bauch (Amaya) of Roswell, Georgia; 7 grandchildren (Tyler, Austin (Skyler), Connor, Evan, Ansley, Graham & Wyatt); 1 great-granddaughter (Elena); and sister-in-law Harlene Rinaldi (Bill) of Monticello, Indiana.

Out of town guests may find accommodations for Celebration of Life at the following options:

The Lodge on Lake Oconee: 930 Greensboro Road, Eatonton, GA 31024, (706)-485-7785 (limited rooms available)

Holiday Inn Express & Suites: 2600 N. Columbia Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061, (478) 295-1144. Bereavement rate available, speak with Jasmine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (https://www.bcrf.org/).

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family of Mrs. Suzanne Mary Petersen Bauch.