Suzanne Chlapecka, 42, a devoted mother and loving wife, daughter, teacher and friend, died April 6, 2023.
Born March 28, 1981 in Montclair, New Jersey, to Victor and Patricia Pasqualicchio, Suzanne moved to the Midwest as a child and grew to become a dedicated educator, die-hard Indiana University basketball fan and a passionate parent to her beautiful daughter, Katherine.
Suzanne fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher in 2003 and spent two decades as a tireless educator who reveled in the joy of showing children — whether her daughter or her students — possibility that exists in the world.
She began her career in Wheaton/Warrenville School District 200 and joined Glen Ellyn School District 41 in 2021, where she was a K-5 instructional math coach. She found joy in teaching, demystifying mathematics and connecting with students, teachers and parents. She passed her love of learning on to hundreds, if not thousands, of students and found purpose in the connections she fostered.
She married her loving husband, Kris Chlapecka, on Oct. 19, 2013. As best friends and partners, they raised their daughter, Katherine Ann “Kate” Chlapecka, who was born in 2016 and was the undoubted light of her life.
As a mother, Suzanne took joy in reading to Katherine before bed, working on crafts together and being an active part of Katherine’s Daisy Scout troop. Whether it was her involvement in the PTA or her uncanny knack for discovering off-the-beaten path family adventures, Suzanne reveled in every minute she spent with Katherine and found joy in the opportunity to participate in family activities together.
When she wasn’t cheering for Hoosiers basketball, the Chicago Bears or the Chicago Blackhawks, Suzanne loved to travel with Kris and Kate. They were frequent visitors to Ft. Myers, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina, where Suzanne and the Pasqualicchio family spent annual beachside vacations.
As much as she enjoyed her family, Suzanne also brought light to her many friends. She was a past president of Delta Gamma at Indiana University, from which she received her undergraduate degree in elementary education in 2003. She later went on to earn two master’s degrees — in educational leadership and administration and K-8 mathematics education — from National Louis University.
Suzanne was preceded to eternal life by her mother Patricia Pasqualicchio and her loving Aunt Anne Forte. In addition to her husband, Kris, their daughter Katherine, she is survived by her father Victor Pasqualicchio, brother Patrick Pasqualicchio and his wife Elizabeth. Suzanne was the beloved sister-in-law of Jaime and Jason van Lente. Suzanne was a devoted aunt to her many nieces Peyton, Reagan, Kennedy, Addison, Alexa, Julia and her nephew Lukas.
Visitation will be at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester, on Sunday, April 16 from 3 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated for at St. Mary’s Church, 126 Herrick Rd., Riverside, on Monday April 17 at 10:30 a.m. All are asked to meet directly at the church. Inurnment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Wheaton.
In lieu of flowers contributions are appreciated to this online fundraiser for the family.
Arrangements were handled by The Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, funeral director.
