YARMOUTH — Suzanne Higgins “Sue” Stevens, 77, beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend, died Oct. 30 surrounded by her loving family at Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough.

Born in Portland, she was a daughter of Stanley and Hazel Higgins and attended Portland High School.

After graduation, she earned her nursing diploma at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and was as a clinical nurse until she married Ralph Royal Stevens in 1958. She eventually joined her husband as an owner of Yankee Marina in Yarmouth.

They moved to Newell Road in Yarmouth, where they started their family of six children and established life-long friendships. Later on, they moved their growing family to a farmhouse on Gilman Road.

She was community-minded, and over the years, co-founded Yarmouth Rescue, volunteered at the library and the First Baptist Church, and most recently taught English as a Second Language to women who had immigrated from Sudan. She affectionately referred to this very special group as “her people.”

Throughout her life, she loved to cook and entertain friends. She was well-known for her St. Patrick’s Day and summer garden parties.

Devoted to nature and animals, she never turned away a cat or dog that needed a warm home filled with love.

After retiring from the Marina, she enjoyed gardening, taking violin lessons, entertaining by the pool, knitting socks and sweaters for family.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ralph in January 2007.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her six children, Ralph Benjamin Stevens of Yarmouth, Lisa Stuart and her significant other, Richard Small of South Portland, Deborah Delp of York, Penn., Matthew Stevens and his significant other, Jessica Belanger and her children, Morgan and Jacob of Yarmouth, Mary Katherine Lord of Cumberland, and Jason Stevens and his partner Jean-Pierre Dorard of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; seven grandchildren, Lindsay and Nicolas Stuart of Yarmouth, Allison Lord of Cumberland, Rachel, William, Jonathan and James Delp of York, Penn.; her brother Blair Higgins and his wife Ruth of Portland; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on Wednesday.

The funeral service was held Thursday at the First Baptist Church, 346 Main St., Yarmouth.

Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.

A memorial tribute can be viewed and memories or condolences can be expressed online to the Stevens family at www.mem.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.

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