It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Physical Plant employee Suzanne Marie Palermo, a campus gardener who died May 8 following a brief illness.
Many of you may have known Suzanne more fondly as Suki Hunnemann. Suki maintained the gardens and grounds at Engineering II, Baskin Engineering, the Core West landscape, Physical Science Building, Sinsheimer and Thimann Labs, and Thimann Lecture Hall. Suki was well known and her work widely appreciated, especially on Science Hill. In fact, she tended the campus grounds with such care that she made the hard work seem so natural and peaceful.
Suki began her career with Physical Plant in September 2000. Prior to working with Physical Plant, she worked as a grounds keeper for Family Student Housing while a student at UCSC. Suki graduated from Porter College in 1999 with a degree in Digital Media.
Before coming to Santa Cruz, Suki also earned a degree in music performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts. She became an accomplished musician, teaching flute and producing music CDs that she and her husband recorded.
Suki is survived by her husband, Christopher, also a University employee, and son, Cyrus Abu-Saba.
Remembrances will be held for the local community on Sunday, May 25, from noon to 4 p.m. at 408 Lincoln Street in Santa Cruz.
