Suzanne Thomson's Obituary
Suzanne "Susie" Thomson of Boynton Beach, FL, passed away peacefully while listening to music and reading at home on Wednesday, April 24, 2014, following a long and heroic crusade against cancer.
Born in 1937 in Zanesville, Ohio, Suzanne spent much of her youth living throughout Europe, as the daughter of Air Force Colonel and Surgeon Dr. Walter O'Morrow and his wife, Lillian. Her family, including her younger brother, David, had many exciting adventures. Susie’s exploits included flights with the Flying Tiger squadron -- with icicles hanging from the aircraft and at least one instance of engine failure. As a teen, she was a weekend surgical assistant for her father when he and other surgeons flew to remote communities to treat deserving children in need of cleft palette surgery. Although they volunteered their services, the surgeons were often given fresh eggs or home-grown vegetables by grateful parents (or, on occasion, they were offered livestock, which they graciously declined).
Fun, intelligent and likable, Susie attended dozens of schools, making friends easily at each new locale. She enjoyed staying in touch with her classmates from Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany. A few years ago Susie had many delightful stories to share after seeing her high school classmates -- and reliving her days as a cheerleader -- at a reunion in Florida.
Following her graduation from the University of Nebraska, Susie married and had a son, Doug, and a daughter, Karen. After relocating to Janesville, WI, Susie was active in the community, school, and Church.
Susie earned her M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Dynamic and extremely creative -- with an enviable passion for her new career -- she soon became a Counselor to prisoners pursuing their education at the Rock County Sheriff’s Dept. A few years later, Susie became a Counselor at Blackhawk Technical Institute in Beloit, WI, helping adult students with their academic and personal needs.
In the 1970's, Susie married her soul mate, Don Thomson, a Milton, WI native and happily welcomed his children, Theresa and Steven, and two grandchildren, Tiffany and Moria, to her family. A woman with a spirited wit and a contagious sense of humor, Susie enjoyed having a home that was the center of activity in the neighborhood, and you never knew how many "extra" kids from the area might stay for dinner or spend the night! Everyone felt comfortable and loved in the Thomson home.
Ready to leave the frozen Midwestern Winters for the fresh salt air and warm breezes of sunny Florida, Don and Susie moved to Boynton Beach, FL in 1985. Susie took a position as a Counselor at South Technical Institute in Boynton Beach -- an adult school at the time -- where she worked for the remainder of her career. It was not uncommon to be out shopping or dining with Susie and have a former student approach to give Susie a hug and thank her for all her support and assistance. Susie was always excited to learn the latest news about her former students!
Over the course of her professional career, Susie helped shape the lives of thousands of individuals. Her positive, welcoming attitude empowered people to overcome many challenges in order to complete their degrees and attain success in other areas. She was reliable and generous in her guidance and support. Susie was a popular, committed, and resourceful counselor who loved her profession.
Guided by her faith and love for family and friends, Susie was a remarkable woman in every sense of the word. She loved spending time walking on the beach, watching small planes take off and land at the local airport, or doing just about anything else as long as she was holding hands with her adored husband, Don. She was the “personal shopper extraordinaire” for her friends and family and had an insatiable appetite for a good novel (or two or three at a time), fresh jumbo shrimp, church activities, her ever-present iPad, Fannie May chocolates, singing along to her favorite songs, and cheering for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. Susie enjoyed traveling, meeting friends for coffee at a local bookstore, socializing with her neighbors, and hosting gatherings in her home. While she enjoyed being with people, it was easy to see that Susie had an adoration for dogs and other animals. Having raised several since childhood, not one single puppy ever crossed her path without having fallen in love with her!
Susie has entered the Kingdom of Heaven and shall have everlasting life. She has joined her husband Don Thomson, brother David O’Morrow, parents Lillian and Dr. Walter O’Morrow, sister-in-law Jane Thomson, and grandson Matthew Pagel. She is survived by daughter Karen Jeanne-Thomson Pagel, son Douglas (Jude) Pagel, daughter Theresa Thomson (David) Stedman, son Steven (Donna) Thomson, and sister-in-law Joanne Krueger. Susie leaves behind four grandchildren: Tiffany (Robert Higley) Thomson, Moria (Doug) Leonhardt, Nate Pagel, and Reece Pagel. Her great-grandchildren are Charlotte, Robbie, and Matilda Leonhardt. Susie’s family will celebrate the birth of a beautiful baby this Spring. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Visitation will be held at Palm Beach Memorial Park in Lantana, FL on Wednesday, May 7th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. An uplifting Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Boynton Beach, FL on Thursday, May 8th at 2:00 pm, followed by a “Celebration of Life” honoring Susie.
Donations in Susie’s memory may be made to “Best Friends Animal Society” of Kanub, UT or “Hospice of Palm Beach County”.
What’s your fondest memory of Suzanne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Suzanne?
Share a story where Suzanne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Suzanne you’ll never forget.
How did Suzanne make you smile?
