Susan S. Suchocki

Susan Stewart Suchocki, of Claremont, California, passed away on June 16, 2006 at 67 years of age. Her birthday is on June 18. Cause of death was complications of lung cancer. Susan was a resident of Claremont since 1982. Public burial ceremo nies at Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 11 a.m. An informal gathering of friends will be held on site, immediately after, refreshments and a light buffet lunch will be available. Susan was born as Susan Stewart on June 18, 1938 in Iowa City, Iowa, the home of the University of Iowa. The flavor of this exciting University town permeated much of Susan's lifestyle and lasting friendships and interests. She was graduated from the University of Virginia with a degre e in economics and later earned a Doctorate in Information Systems from the Claremont Graduate University. She taught as a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati, the University of Miami, Ohio, at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa and retired after teaching as a part-time college instructor in many local colleges such as Mt. San Antonio, Cal Poly and DeVry Institute. Susan was active in several Claremont civic organizations: The League of Women Voters, Toastmasters, Claremont 4th of July Oratory. She was founder of a Claremont Great Books Book Club, a member of the Claremont Community Services Commission; was President of The University Club of Claremont and held office of secretary and treasurer of that organization for over five years. Susan's first marriage was to Lorrence T. Kellar of Keota, Iowa. Among Susan's survivors are their three married children: Kevin Kellar and wife Margaret of Cincinnati, Kate Wagner and husband Clayton of Midlothian, Virginia and Nick Kellar and wife Stephanie of Poway, California. Susan's second marriage, in 1977, was to John Suchocki, who by his previous wife, Marjorie Hewitt, has three married children: Cathy Candler of Dallas, Texas, Joan Lucas of Invergrove, Minnesota and John Suchocki of Shelburne, Vermont. Susan's youngest son, Nick, was raised by Susan and John in Boston and Claremont. This extended family of children held many reunions over the years. Susan and John moved to Claremont, California in 1982. In Claremont, John retired from a corporate vaga bond life as an aircraft engine engineer with the General Electric Company. In subsequent years, Susan and John enjoyed a 16-foot, self-contained "Casita" camping trailer to take them across the expanse of the West, with a camping club, and as a couple, to feel the excitement, violence and peace of nature. Other travels overseas to England, Poland and Greece were also enjoyed. According to her many friends, Susan was a bright light, with a self-effacing modesty. In any group, she was the chatty one who p roposed exciting ideas, did not dominate and was liked by everyone. Her love of animals came to the fore six years ago with the addoption of "Pepper," a rescued racing greyhound, who enhanced the household and enjoyed daily attendance at the Claremont Pooch Park. Susan's Dog Park friends, Joan Garrett and Marge Meyers, particularly feel the loss of her passing because of their close association and sharing of their love of animals. Susan loved life with tenderness and bright intelligence. Susan only occ asionally spoke of her vison of eternity. It was a benign vision, where kindness ruled and she felt comfortable with the prospect of returning to her beginnings in the magnificance of the cosmos. Todd Memorial Chapel in charge of arrangements.