Suzanne Bragg Levanas

Suzanne Bragg Levanas died peacefully on January 16 at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles due to complications from heart surgery at the age of 69.

Suzanne is survived by her spouse Judge Michael Innes Levanas, daughters Danielle Bragg Levanas and Virginia Bragg Levanas, son-in-law CarloVito Sunga Santangelo, grandson Remy Michael Santangelo, and sister Marilyn Bragg Symons. She is preceded in death by mother Dorothy Bragg, father Russell Bragg and brother Danny Bragg of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

A proud Canadian turned American, Suzanne lived her life embracing adventure. She was born on December 13, 1950, in Calgary, Alberta. After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary, she obtained a master’s degree in social work from UCLA.

While traveling in Mexico in 1978, she met and fell in love with a scruffy young sailor named Mike. Ever up for new experiences, Suzanne joined the crew and sailed back to Los Angeles with him. The couple got married in 1979 and became parents to their two daughters in 1982 and 1985.

Suzanne was a three-time cancer survivor and dedicated her life work to others fighting breast and ovarian cancer as an LCSW at Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology for 17 years.

She was a lover of nature, hiking, bike riding, camping and mindfulness. She completed three marathons after turning 40, rode her bike with Mike from San Francisco to Los Angeles at the age of 60, and became very involved in the mindfulness community at InsightLA. Her great loves were her family and her precious community of friends.

A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, at 12 p.m. at Corpus Christi Church, with a reception gathering to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Suzanne’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you do something kind for a stranger. Suzanne lived by the motto “live with joy” and found beauty in small acts of kindness.

Donations may also be made to Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, Gift Designation: “Deer Park Monastery” in memory of her. Suzanne spent many silent retreats there and deeply valued the experiences. Visit thichnhathanhfoundation.org/one-time-giving to donate.