Suzanne Hurst

Suzanne Hurst, of Barnesville, was called home Sunday, June 19, 2022.

She was born at home Oct. 29, 1940, in Mahanoy City, to Helen (Krieg) and John Keiser. She attended Immaculate Heart Academy and St. Agnes Nursing School, achieving her registered nurse certification in 1961. She worked in Philadelphia area hospitals until moving her family back "upstate" in 1973, when she joined the staff at Ashland State Hospital and discovered her true nursing vocation, the emergency room.

She enjoyed travel, especially to see faraway family, and day trips that included a stop at Trader Joe's. But overall, she felt that "East, west - home's best."

She was a Christmas enthusiast and loved everything about the season: the decorations, music and baking - at which she excelled. She looked forward to the first day of summer because the days begin to shorten, so she could start the countdown to winter. Other favorite pastimes included music, especially Il Volo and the Bee Gees; dancing to '50s jitterbug tunes; Villanova basketball; Michigan football; and movies, where her eclectic tastes ranged from "Ben-Hur" to "Rocky II" to "Lord of the Rings."

Children were a joy in her life, especially her beloved grandchildren, but her big heart had room for others as well. She taught CCD at her parish, St. Richard's RCC, and for years afterwards enjoyed following "her kids." For many years she supported a Navajo mission and was thrilled by a trip to Arizona to meet the children in person.

Her youngest child, Timothy, preceded her in death in 1981.

Survivors include daughter, Lizanne Hurst and companion, Pete Lamana, of Bethlehem; son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Debbi Hurst, of Barnesville; three grandchildren, Kelsey, Jack Jr. and Joshua; a brother, Jack Keiser, of Santa Fe, N.M.; niece, nephew and beloved cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Richard's Church in Barnesville to be celebrated by the Rev. Robert Finlan. Interment will follow in St. Fidelis Cemetery in Mahanoy Twp. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. Thursday until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, where Timmy received such excellent care: www.chop.edu/giving. David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.