Susanna Barbee LaJoie

Susanna Barbee LaJoie – age 84, died Saturday, August 19, 2017, the day after her birthday.  She was born on August 18, 1933 in Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina to the Reverend Carl and Gladys Newman Barbee. Her mother began giving her piano lessons early and she played in her first piano recital at age 3 ½.  Susanna studied with several teachers in Eastern North Carolina, as her parents moved from church appointments, winning awards along the way.  She studied piano at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Piano.  The following year, she studied organ, piano, and piano pedagogy as a post-graduate, also in Greensboro.  Susanna was an adjunct instructor of piano at Broward College for 29 years, and also taught privately.  She also taught music appreciation at Broward College. Susanna was a member of the National Federation of Music Club; Florida Federation of Music Club; Morning Musicale of Fort Lauderdale; Broward County Music Teachers Association; and former member of American Guild of Organists.  Additionally, she was an organist at many churches in the Broward County area. Susanna was predeceased by her husband, Leo R. LaJoie, whom she married in 1955.  Leo was an accountant and a jazz musician.  Together, they made their home in Florida; first in Miami, and later in Plantation.  They raised three children; Lisa (Terry), Richard (Cecilia), and Debra (David).  She had eight grandchildren: James, Joshua (Amanda), Jeremiah, Jonathan, Julie, Kelly, Philip (Jessica), and Richard (Sarah) and four great-grandchildren: Alex, Christian, Samuel and Rylee.  Susanna is survived by her sister, Patricia Gray of Chesapeake, Virginia, with niece, Susanna (Andrew) and nephew, James, and grand-niece, Abigail.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Lajoie of Whitesboro, New York, with nieces, Tina and Kim (Randy), grand-nephews, Stuart, Matthew and Michael and grand-niece, Sabrina.  She was predeceased by her brothers-in-law, James Gray and Nicholas Lajoie; her nephew, Nicholas Lajoie, and her grand-nephew, Nicholas Lajoie. Susanna will be missed by many.  She taught love and compassion to her family and friends.  Words written by her – Be Happy For Me. Viewing will be held at TM Ralph Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th Street, Plantation (954-587-6888), on Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Service on Friday, August 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Plantation Presbyterian Church, 901 NW 70th Avenue, Plantation (954-587-0830) with Reverend Dr. David Massey officiating, followed by interment at the Lauderdale Memorial Park, 2001 S.W. 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale (954-745-2140).