Suanna Rowell (Bonhote)
June 10, 1947-January 11, 2026

Suanna Rowell was born to Louis and Barbara Bonhote in the old St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. She attended St. Bernard’s Elementary and High School and graduated in 1966. After High School Suanna attended College of the Redwoods and then Humboldt State University, and studied history.

Suanna married Marvin Rowell in 1971. They later divorced.

In 1976 Suanna started working at Crestwood Behavioral Health. She starting working as a nurse’s aide. She held numerous positions and her last position was service coordinator, where she provided great insight for new staff sharing how mental health has changed over the years. Suanna received numerous awards for compassionate care of mental illness.

Suanna has been a member of St. Bernard’s Parish her entire life. She was baptized, received her first communion, received confirmation and was married at St. Bernard’s Church.

Suanna was very involved in many activities at the church. She was in the choir for many years. Suanna was also lector and Eucharistic Minister. She would assist the priest in opening the church, setting up for Mass for Saturday and Sunday. Suanna joined the third order Franciscans and grew deeper in her faith. Suanna was a member of the Humboldt Redwood Cursillo for 18 years and spoke so highly of the retreat experience. She always looked forward to the Cursillo retreats.

Suanna was inducted into the St. Bernard’s Alumni Hall of Fame in April 2017.

Suanna was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Barbara Bonhote.

She was survived by her sister, Sr. Mary Geneva Bonhote, CSJ., her brother James Bonhote, his wife Margie, her nephew Jason Bonhote her niece Chelsey Newman, husband Todd, and her family. Suanna’s special friend- Marian Griffin and numerous friends and co-workers.

A special thanks goes to St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Room and the ICU team of nurses and staff, along with Dr. Chavoshan, MD.

Everyone is invited to attend the Rosary and Mass for Suanna. The Service will be held on January 31, 2026 at St. Bernard’s Church, at 6th and H streets. Rosary 9:30 a.m. and funeral mass 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Suanna Rowell’s name to:

Humbold Redwood Cursillo
P.O. Box 735
Eureka, Calif. 95502-0735