Suzanne Ashworth

Columbus Suzanne (Sue) Hazel Jordre Ashworth, (88), widow of William Ashworth, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024, at Kobacker House (Hospice) in Columbus. Born on March 29, 1936, she was the beloved daughter of the late William Starling and Hazel Eleanor Olsen Jordre. Suzanne dedicated her career to education, serving as a devoted middle school teacher at Trimble Middle School in Appalachia, deep within southeastern Ohio, where Suzanne retired after nearly 30 years of unwavering commitment.

A devoted Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church member in Columbus, Suzanne found solace and purpose there, especially in feeding the unhoused. However, she was always an Episcopalian at heart and longed to return to the Episcopal Church for its welcoming spirit and support for marriage equality. She believed everyone deserved a place in a house of worship, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, cultural origin, or station in life. Whether you were a pauper or a CEO, Suzanne treated you respectfully and demanded the same from others. Rest assured, she would, in her way, inform you in no uncertain terms if she thought you missed that mark.

She is survived by her cherished son, Ian James, and his husband, Stephen Letourneau of Columbus, OH, and her wonderful, caring, and loving daughters, Elizabeth (Lisa) Anne Miller and her husband, Ron of Cincinnati, and Alexandra (Alix) Marie Fraser and her emotional support human, Tim Regis. Suzanne also leaves behind her incredible stepdaughter, Diane Collins; her husband, Steve; her loving sister and keeper of the Jordre Flame, JoAnn Nordmeyer; and her husband, Tom of Northern, KY. Several nieces and nephews will deeply miss her and many friends whose lives she touched.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate, William A. "Bill" Ashworth, 84, of Columbus, OH. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Starling A. Kephart, 85, of Harrodsburg, and Diane (Dinnie) Meyerratken, 83, of Park Hills, KY, as well as her brother, John William Jordre, 71, of Burlington, KY.

Suzanne was a vibrant and intellectual woman with a passion for reading, travel, art, nature, and cooking for others who came within a five-mile radius. Her sharp wit was legendary and evidence of her unique personality. She served with great pride as the President of the Local Ohio Education Association at Trimble Middle School, advocating for her fellow educators. Suzanne earned her undergraduate degree from Stephens College, an advanced degree from the University of Kentucky, and a Master's from Northwestern. She chose a career in teaching despite her natural aptitude for engineering, which was not a viable option for women at the time, when the world wasn't ready for logical, common sense, and analytically thinking women who could compete with men. Her desire for children, friendship, faith, and fellowship shaped her priorities.

She was a voracious reader and found joy in indulging in what she affectionately called "smutty" or "trashy" books. She also took great joy in completing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle with a pen, displaying her unwavering confidence. With her beloved Bill, Suzanne explored the world, immersing herself in travels while reveling in the music of multi-platinum-selling jazz icon Dave Koz.

She was a sassy, intelligent, and direct leader, which became evident in her formative years while attending high school, where a short-statured and aggressive male teacher threatened to strike her with a ruler. Suzanne, true to form, took the ruler from the teacher, held it high above him, and said, "If you try to do that again, I am going to put this somewhere you won't be able to reach." Years later, she returned to the school as a teacher, and the previously aggressive teacher saw her and asked her out. She, of course, turned him down.

Suzanne's longevity of 88 years was nothing short of miraculous to those who knew the older three Jordre sisters - Star, Suzanne, and Dinnie. Their childhood was filled with daring challenges, always trying to outdo one another. The most dangerous escapades involved seeing who could hold a hairpin in a live electrical outlet the longest and push it in the furthest. The sister's children are profoundly grateful for their survival and resilience, which allowed them to provide such wonderful lives and treasured memories.

She was prescient before the "me too" movement, having thwarted the advances of a school administrator who made continued unwanted advances. She ensured female teachers knew of the administrator's potential lascivious behavior and that each teacher who spoke with him one-on-one should tell the administrator, "The door stays open." Years later, the then-former administrator was apprehended, finally cracking the case of the "Bike Path Flasher."

Suzanne knew the importance of planning and often commented that at the end of her life, her family should "Put me on an ice float with a spear and set me adrift." Though she and the family navigated a slightly different journey, in the end, that sentiment remains a testament to her rugged Swedish spirit. In the years leading up to her passing, Suzanne, her son, and son-in-law collaborated on what she called "the final chapter" of her life, encompassing estate planning, a living will, and the search for a comfortable and independent living arrangement with access to assisted living and a memory care unit. Aware of her fading memory, Suzanne, and "the boys" as she fondly referred to her son and his husband, wanted to ensure that other families followed suit, taking proactive steps to define and understand their wishes. Her legacy extends beyond her immediate family, as she encouraged others to plan and embrace open conversations about their future and detailed end-of-life plans.

Per her wishes, Suzanne's cremated remains will be planted with a tree to symbolize her desire to provide future generations with the comfort of shade, a place to play, and a sanctuary to rest on weary days.

Suzanne Hazel Jordre will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to children and education, advocacy, love for her family, faith, vibrant spirit, and humor, which touched the lives of all who knew her. A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Ian James and Stephen Letourneau at 1349 East Broad Street in Columbus, OH, on Saturday, June 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In place of flowers, please contribute to Kobacker House or your local Hospice because they are wonderful people who do incredible work. Suzanne would insist upon recognizing their important and heartfelt work and how appreciative and grateful the entire family is for their dedication to providing death with dignity.

Suzanne Ashworth