Meet Susan Boice – Class of 2020

She moved to Arlington, Virginia when she was in her twenties to live with a friend and experience “the world.” She worked as a clerical civilian with the Navy where she met her husband who was on active duty. He was eventually transferred to Norfolk, and they have lived in Norfolk for 22 years.

Susan has an Associate degree in Liberal Arts from New York State, a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from George Mason University and a Master’s degree in nursing (Nurse Practitioner) from Old Dominion University.

Susan’s interest in becoming a Master Gardener was sparked by her interest in flower gardening. She experimented with her first garden while living in Arlington. She enjoys the outdoors and is interested in volunteering some of her time since she has retired. Meeting new people with similar interests and learning is very appealing to her. As a farmer’s daughter, she has developed an appreciation for the great outdoors and working hard.

To attain her fifty hours, Susan worked at Weyanoke Sanctuary, Ernie Morgan Center, Jam’n Jamz tree giveaway, Arbor Day, Giving Garden, Zoo Garden, the Square Foot Garden at the Fred Heutte Center and the Lafayette Wetlands Partnership.

Susan believes the Education Committee did the best they could to continue the classes when the pandemic occurred. She said the hardest part was not knowing when and what they would be doing next. Learning how to use Zoom for presentations was a good experience and she thought the drive-through graduation was fun.

Susan’s main interests in continuing her Master Gardener journey are working at Weyanoke Sanctuary, Lafayette Wetlands Partnership and volunteering at Norfolk Botanical Garden.



Susan and her husband have been married for 32 years. They have two border collies who love to travel with them when they camp. When Susan is not volunteering with Norfolk Master Gardeners she likes reading, learning, yoga, crafts, hiking and camping in their 21 foot travel trailer.

When you see Susan be sure to give a shout out to her and welcome her to the Norfolk Master Gardeners.