Susan Marie "Sue" Honcoop

Susan Marie ‘Sue’ Honcoop, age 76, of Bellingham, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Whatcom Hospice in Bellingham.

Sue was born in Bellingham on January 12, 1950, to Robert and Doris Atwood in the middle of a historic snowstorm. She was the oldest of four children and began helping her parents care for her younger siblings at an early age while they both worked in the fish processing industry. She attended Lowell Elementary School, Fairhaven Middle School and graduated from Sehome High School in 1969. Following high school, Sue attended Bellingham Technical College, graduating from the Dental Assistant Program in 1970 and worked as a dental assistant for 17 years.

On Sue’s 19th birthday, friends took her to the Lynden Skate Rink, where a friend introduced her to his college roommate, Larry Honcoop. Larry wished Sue a happy birthday, but due to being extremely shy, Sue didn’t respond and proceeded to skate away. A week later he asked her out on a date and the rest, as they say, was history.

They were married on June 14, 1975. Six months into their marriage, at just 26 years old, Sue was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). After recovering from the initial onset of the disease, Sue experienced an extended period of remission from her symptoms, lasting from 1976 to 1992, with just a few intermittent flare ups. During this time, she and Larry welcomed a son, Nicholas. Sue devoted her time and love into caring for her son. She homeschooled Nicholas, coordinating with other local moms to share the teaching responsibilities and curriculum. They were always on the go, experiencing new things for as long as she was physically able. After 1992, Sue’s MS returned and gradually progressed, stealing most of her physical abilities and eventually forcing her to be totally reliant on assistance from Larry and others.

In her younger years, Sue enjoyed rock hounding, the family hobby that was passed down by her father. Vacations were spent traveling across the western United States in search of rocks like Montana agates, sapphires, jade, garnets and other specimens that her dad could use to make jewelry – which, with Larry’s assistance, included her wedding ring.

Sue also loved crafts, scrapbooking, embroidery, cross stitching, sewing, ceramics, making jewelry and playing the organ. She was very active at her church dedicating her time to teaching Sunday School for young children and Bible Study Fellowship leading children’s classes. Later in life, she delighted in the visits from her friends and church family and was overjoyed to become Grammy Sue to her granddaughter in 2025.

Sue became a believer in Christ when she was 32 years old. Despite her diagnosis and symptom progression, she maintained an unwavering dedication to her faith with a joyous and positive outlook on life. She fully trusted in her Lord and Savior, even when His plan for her life wasn’t the plan she would have chosen. Sue would want you to know that Christ loves you, died for you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. He always hears you and ultimate healing is found in Him alone. You can have hope in all circumstances because of the love, grace and mercy He has given to us.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Honcoop; parents Robert and Doris (Gawley) Atwood; brothers, Robert Atwood and David Atwood. She is survived by her son, Nick (Madison) Honcoop; granddaughter, Arianne Honcoop; sister, Rose (Robert) Atwood-Knudson.

The family would like to extend a most sincere and heartfelt thank you to all the dear friends who blessed Sue (and Larry) in stopping by for visits over the years. They were both extremely grateful for the gift of time, conversation and friendships.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 pm at Northlake Community Church in Bellingham and will be live streamed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sue’s name to Whatcom Hospice, http://whatcomhospice.org/donate-online or mailed to 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225.