Suzanne Marlene Comontofski

Suzanne Marlene Comontofski, 65, passed away peacefully Friday, November 28th, in the loving company of family following a brief battle with cancer. Suzanne was best known for her impenetrable positive spirit, bright smile and friendly stories. As the self-titled unofficial Director of Social Affairs, she was the glue that held many groups of close friends together and knew how to throw the best parties. She had a blast.

Suzanne “Suzie” was born on September 27, 1949 in San Francisco to Rudolph and Helene Lemich. She was raised in Van Nuys and attended Birmingham High School. As a young woman she treasured the opportunity she had to travel to Croatia to explore her Yugoslavian heritage with her favorite grandmother. She loved to ride her Appaloosa horse Kimosabe.

A longtime resident of Sonoma, she married Dale Ingraham in 1977 and raised her family locally. During this time she was employed in accounting in the wine industry. She was an active member of the Redwood Empire Tall Club and a clerical volunteer for Schell Vista Fire Department. In 2000, she married Ken Comontofski and moved to Marsing, Idaho in 2002.

At an early age her lifelong passion for dancing began. She participated in folk dancing as a young woman and later learned country western. She loved the waltz. She and her husband Ken danced nearly every weekend for the last 20 years.

Among her many talents was cake-making and decorating. She made professional cakes for many of her friends’ and family’s weddings and anniversaries. She always said that if she could have lived at any period in time it would have been during the Victorian era. Suzanne had a gift for sewing and a love of hats and dresses. In the last few years she created elaborate costumes to dress in the traditional style of her favorite era. She was an active member of the Eagles Club and Style N Time Vintage Society. Her most popular annual parties included her practice Thanksgiving dinner, Dutch Oven Cook Off, and Gatsby Picnic.

She was an adored wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, cousin and friend.

She is survived by her husband Ken Comontofski of Marsing, ID; preceded in death by her father Rudolph Lemich; survived by her mother Helene Lemich of Nampa, ID; brothers Jan Lemich (Berlinda) of Denver, CO, and Claude Lemich of Santa Cruz, CA; daughters Jennifer Mathis (Ryan) of Santa Rosa, CA and Valerie Ingraham of Burlingame, CA; grandchildren Emily and Spencer Mathis.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Creekside Clubhouse, 159 Avenida Barbera, Sonoma, CA. Donations can be made in Suzanne’s name: (payable to) Idaho State Historical Society Annual Fund, (mail to) Idaho State Historical Society 2205 Old Penitentiary Rd Boise, ID 83712.