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The family of fallen medical flight nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith is working through their first holidays without her.
REDDING, Calif. — Families are gathering for the holiday season, but for some, heartbreak sits at the table. The family of Susan “Suzie” Smith, the medical flight nurse who died from her injuries after last month’s helicopter crash on Highway 50, is working through their first holidays without her.
Her son, Gabriel Smith, said the season carries a new weight.
“We are holding up the best we can right now,” said Gabriel Smith. “My mom prepared us for a lot for this.”
Gabriel said his mom lived with purpose and joy. He remembered dancing with her at Disneyland and the way she made sure her family had memories to hold onto. That mattered even more this year, as the family gathered for Thanksgiving on Sunday because so many of them are first responders.
“That absence is definitely felt,” Gabriel said. “She was always quiet but loud at just the right opportunity moment… she would grab a roll or a biscuit and chuck it down the table at somebody.” He added that “There [were] Hawaiian rolls flying down the table this year as well.”
Gabriel said Suzie built a home where blood relatives and “found family” felt welcome.
“We were all hurting, but they all stepped up to make sure we felt like there was still family there.,” he said.
He still carries one of the REACH pens she kept in her flight suit to comfort scared kids. Now, the family is focused on keeping her mission alive. They recently launched the “Our Angel That Flies Foundation,” planning medical trips to Central America like Suzie did and creating a scholarship for future nurses.
“She had a passion for, as she put it, mentoring the young bloods,” Gabriel said. “So many amazingly strong women that needed a leg up and she was there to help them.”
He said his mom would want people to focus on connection this holiday season, not waiting to repair relationships or express love.
“At any moment, life can be cut short, so don’t wait to have that hard conversation. Don’t wait to say I’m sorry,” Gabriel said. He added, “I got to make sure there were no broken bridges with us because she was the one who was willing to meet us where we were at.”
“Don’t wait. Don’t wait to tell somebody that you love them because you never know when the last time’s gonna be.”
“If you have extra, reach out to a neighbor that might be lonely, be that family for them.”
The Smiths are doing just that, leaning on each other and holding tight to the memories Suzie gifted them.
The family recently created the foundation, click here to donate and view mission.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Redding honors flight nurse Suzie Smith after fatal REACH helicopter crash
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