Susan Kay Woodbridge

Susan Kay (Paulsen) Woodbridge, 70, Boise, passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on June 17, 2020.  

Susan was born in Caldwell, Idaho on May 16, 1950 to A.W. “Bill” and Bernita June Paulsen.  She spent her childhood on the family farm in Wilder. She loved riding horses, spending summers in McCall, church camps, and was a proud member of Jobs Daughters, Bethel 24.  She attended school in Wilder, graduating in 1968. It was then she met Rick Skelly, of Caldwell and together they had three children, Kimberly, Mathew and Jason.  They later divorced but remained good friends.  She met and married Ken Woodbridge in 1982. Together they shared many happy years camping and fishing at Hell’s Canyon and Brownlee Reservoir, hunting Idaho's mountains and entertaining friends until Ken’s death in 2012.  After his passing Susan continued her love of the outdoors and could still load her own camper and boat in a matter of minutes, and hunt and dress out her own game like a pro. She was definitely a force to be reckoned with; a classy lady who was tough as nails.   

Susan spent many years working as an executive secretary for various Boise companies but it was her law enforcement career in Payette and Canyon Counties and her Ada County family she was most proud of. She was truly an officer for life.  At age 65 she went back to work as a transport driver for Lynx NW, transporting patients to and from behavioral facilities. She drove thousands of miles across Idaho and Utah and loved her Lynx team like family.  Survivors include her children, Kimberly (Brandon) Helderman, Matt (Sarah) Skelly and Jason Skelly, grandchildren Derrick, Nick, Harley, Ethan, Mariah, Kellen, and Nikeya.  She is also survived by her siblings; sister Pat, brothers Carl, Craig, Dave and Donnie, her very good friend Tom English, and her step-children Andrew and Emily.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved Ken.  

Susan will be loved and remembered for her beautiful smile, her honest opinion, her quick wit and her great sense of humor; her open door, her impeccable penmanship, her wonderful cooking and above all her knowledge and wisdom she imparted to all who would listen.  

Special thank you to Dr. Matthew Schwarz, Carlene, and the staff at SW Idaho ENT for their years of care, her St. Luke’s Cancer Institute team Dr. Stephen Smith and nurse Mindy, Dr. Norman Zuckerman, and all the St. Luke’s staff from the front door to the back she came to know and love.  There are not words enough to thank her St. Luke’s Hospice team, Katie, Jen, Chaplain Craig and staff who gave mom their love and compassion, and above all their respect.  

Private graveside services will be held at a later date at her final resting place next to Ken at Dry Creek Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers and donations, the family requests in honor of Mom, you finally take that long-planned camping trip, hunt that mountain side and catch that fish.