Susan Howell Larkin

Susan Howell Larkin, 68, of Winnetka, Illinois, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born on March 27th, 1957 to Richard and Stephanie Larkin.
Susan grew up on Chicago's North Shore, where she attended Saints Faith, Hope and Charity School and Woodlands Academy. She later attended Marquette University, earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology.
At Marquette, Susan met Jim Fontaine. They married in 1980 and later moved to Plano, Texas, where they built a life together and welcomed two children, Claire and Jack Fontaine. Susan later earned a Master's degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas.
After spending 38 years in Texas, Susan returned to Winnetka in 2017 to be closer to family. During her years in Texas, she cultivated a close-knit and meaningful community, through her involvement in recovery groups, where she formed lasting friendships and offered support to other people in sobriety.
Susan was fun-loving and adventurous. She enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, and traveling, and over the course of her life visited countries throughout Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. She was known for her sense of humor, authenticity, and love of music, always seeking opportunities to enjoy live performances or stand-up comedy.
She found deep purpose in volunteering with organizations that support people in recovery, including The Magdalen House, where her compassion and commitment made a lasting impact.
She is survived by her daughter, Claire Fontaine of Austin, Texas; her son, Jack Fontaine of Seattle, Washington; and her brother, Christopher Larkin of Northbrook, Illinois. She was also a beloved aunt and cousin and will be fondly remembered by many loving family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Road, Glenview, Illinois, on December 28, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Magdalen House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people on their path to recovery. (https://magdalenhouse.org)