Suzanne G. Richardson

CHAMPAIGN - No one knows me as well as I know myself, so I've written this myself.

It was a hot July 17, 1947, when Suzanne Gail Gauble was born to Al and Gwen Gauble. Soon a blonde-hair, spiral-curled, ocean-blue-eyed toddler-child came to be. Younger years were spent playing: riding bikes, playing house, ghosts, tag and hide 'n' seek, camping out, ballgames, pets and stray animals, and so much more.

As I got older, so did my interests. My teenage years brought new interests, friends, challenges and an appreciation for MANY clothes and shoes. But the biggest change was trading my bike for a car, and eventually, Bobby and I also had our Honda motorcycles.

It was also during this time, my freshman year at Champaign High School, I met and fell in love with Robert "Bobby" "Bob" Richardson, my future husband and the love of my life. Suddenly, ME became WE, and we were married in 1966. We faced the challenges that many young couples face, but we had love and came to know the joy of family. We were blessed with two children, Traci and Ryan; added four grandchildren, Gailyn

(Marfell), Zane, Brooke and Kassady (Richardson); and even five great-grandchildren.

We were very active spending our years watching our kids play sports, do activities, leading scouts, volunteering, participating in the PTA and chairing committees and events, holding the office of president in most of them, and going on countless adventurous family vacations throughout the U.S., Canada and tropical places. We had a lot of hills and mountains to climb, we struggled some and fell some, but together, we reached the top.

We did a lot and accomplished a lot over time, but our 25-plus years of country dancing was without a doubt one of the most enjoyable time periods. The friends we made and adventures we had still bring endless smiles to my face. Thinking back on my marriage and our time together, I'm reminded of various lines from country songs, such as the one that says, "You've been beside me through thick and thin" and another that says, "We don't have as far to go, as we've already been." As Bobby and I approach over 63 years together, another line from another country song describes and sums it up best, "When they want to see how true love has been, they'll just look at us."

Since you're reading this, you know I've gotten my Angel wings and danced my way through the pearly gates.

Just some other information about me, I worked at the University of Illinois in the Department of Physical Education, was a housewife, ran a home daycare to always be available for my children, and was a successful business owner of The Cookie Factory at Market Place Mall, where I was referred to as "the mall mom."

My home was always meant to be a fun, welcoming, safe place, and through the years, it was filled with my "extra" kids, animals and a constantly revolving door to friends, my children's friends, and family alike.

I spent many years enjoying volunteering, many clubs and organizations, and holding various leadership roles and offices in many of them.

Some I remember the most were: The Eagles (FOE), Jr. Woman's Club, Bottenfield, Edison, Central and their PTAs and booster clubs, being a scout leader, Beta Sigma Phi, coordinating my class reunions, volunteering at Covenant Hospital, Red Hat Club, and various garden clubs. I loved chaperoning field trips and classroom activities, acting in the annual Jr. Woman's Club plays, and most recently being President of The Eagles (FOE) and booking the bands for our weekly dances.

I transformed my home every year for our annual Christmas open house, with as many as 23 trees and a different theme in every room, planted

endless flowers and gardens, rode motorcycles, and always had music, mostly country, playing in my house or car.

I am survived by my husband, Bobby; sister, Marcia (Wimmer); brother, Fred (Gauble); kids, Traci (Marfell) and Ryan Richardson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and my beloved dog and constant companion, Sadie.

Until we dance together again …

Visitation will be on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802. A celebration memorial will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be made at renner-wikoff.com.