Suellen M. “Suzy” Alexander, 76, of Brookfield, died Jan. 20, 2021 at her home.
Ms. Alexander was born Aug. 26, 1944 and taught for many years at Costello and Robinson schools in Lyons-Brookfield District 103, mostly teaching third grade. After her retirement, she continued to teach children on a part-time basis, working with students in reading and math.
She was lucky enough to have had a long retirement. In addition to traveling around the country and the world, she enjoyed her many breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners with her cousins, her ladies’ night friends, her book club, her health club water aerobics group, retired and active teachers, zoo friends, and a lively bunch of neighbors whom she knew for many years or met walking her beloved dog, Ozzie (named after Ozzie Guillen, not Osbourne).
She volunteered at Brookfield Zoo for about 14 years, first as a guest guide and later as an early childhood docent in the Hamill Family Play Zoo. She greatly enjoyed working with her fellow volunteers and zoo guests.
Due to the pandemic, this past year was difficult because all her favorite activities were curtailed, but she found ways to connect with family and friends. She was always fun to be around, with a good sense of humor, a kind heart, and a shining smile.
Her last illness was a shock to all. She tried to do as she was asked to fight ovarian cancer, but too many setbacks kept her from making enough progress. She was at peace with her decision to enter hospice care in her Brookfield home and was delighted by the flowers, cards, and visits from many friends and family members. She felt very loved and clearly she was.
Ms. Alexander was the daughter of the late Eleanor J. and Selwyn T. Alexander; a cousin to Betsy Snyder, Cris (Donna) Snyder, Wendy (Jim) McInerney, and many more cousins; and “aunt” to Cara (Daniel) Allard , Colin Snyder, Catina Snyder, Michael McInerney and Dylan McInerney.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary Church, Riverside, with interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to be made to the American Cancer Society or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.
