Suzanne is the oldest of seven children and spent her childhood in Chicago. Her parents, Charles and Mary, shaped her life in profound ways. Her mother, an only child herself, somehow managed the remarkable feat of raising seven children with endless love and dedication.

Suzanne fondly remembers her making up cheers just for her and encouraging her love of cheerleading and dance. In fact, Suzanne helped start her grammar school’s cheerleading group with her sister and a friend, later continuing on the cheerleading squad in high school.

Her parents were wonderful listeners, teaching Suzanne one of life’s most important lessons: you can’t truly help someone unless you first listen. Her father, proudly Irish, had a beautiful baritone voice, and she loved hearing him sing Irish ballads.

As the oldest of the brood, Suzanne carried plenty of responsibility and even attended some of her younger siblings’ parent-teacher conferences. Her father was fun-loving, her mother was the heart of kindness, and later in life Suzanne learned that her mother had quietly struggled with agoraphobia.

Although Suzanne hoped to attend college, her parents could only afford to send her three brothers. Instead, she went to work at Tempel Steel, where a secretarial position eventually led to management. During her 18 years there, she earned the trust and respect of colleagues and supervisors alike.

One of the most important people in Suzanne’s life was Bob, whom she met in first grade. Kind, protective, and loyal, he became her lifelong friend. Together they raised a son and later adopted their daughter, JoAnn. The loss of JoAnn at age 52 was one of Suzanne’s greatest heartbreaks.

Today, Suzanne is warm-hearted, adventurous, and open to whatever life brings. She loves boating, scenic drives, and meeting new people. With her “anything goes” outlook, she hopes to meet a happy, outgoing companion who enjoys trying new things and sharing life’s everyday adventures.