Suzanne Johnson

YOUNGSTOWN - Prayers will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Christine Church for Suzanne "Sue" E. Johnson, 91, who passed away Sunday at the Inn at Christine Valley, with her family by her side.

Suzanne was born April 24, 1924, in Youngstown, the seventh child of Vincent and Elizabeth (McEvoy) McLaughlin.

She attended St. Edwards, where her parents were charter members.

In 1942, she graduated from Ursuline High School.

She married Chuck Johnson in 1947, had four children, and was a devoted wife and mother until 1958, when her beloved husband passed away.

She was able to return to work, with the help of her mother, who watched her children, and was employed in the Mahoning County Commissioners Office for 32 years.

A devoted member of St. Christine Church, she served on the bereavement ministry, was a homebound Eucharistic minister, member of Infant of Prague Guild and participated in prayer and communion services at Alterra, Inn at Christine Valley and Camelot nursing homes. She also was a volunteer for the "Health and Wellness" sessions at St. Christine.

Suzanne was best-known throughout the community for her tireless volunteerism. She volunteered at St. Elizabeth Health Center as a caregiver for the patient advocate, the gift shoppe, and as a Eucharistic minister and was a member of the St. Elizabeth Auxiliary.

Suzanne was a member of Seton IV Ladies of Charity, National Council of Catholic Women, Reserves Senior Volunteer Program, Public Employment Retirement System and Hospice of Mahoning Valley. She also volunteered at the gift shop in the Gardens at Mill Creek Park and at Ursuline High School.

Suzanne was very proud of her Irish heritage and was selected as 1980 Irish Woman of the Year. One of Suzanne's many joys of life was her love of all things Irish.

The compassionate and loving heart of this wife, mother, and sister will forever leave a hole in our hearts and lives.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her true talent was being a loving mother and grandmother, along with her strong devotion to God.

Suzanne leaves to cherish her loving and precious memory, her children, Charles "Chip" (Anne) Johnson of Ridgway, Colo., Jeanne (John) Curtis of Youngstown, and Rita (Rob Duraney) White of Campbell; nine grandchildren, Brian, Kerry, Christine, Carolyn, Natalie, Emily, Andy, Laura, and Michael; nine great-grandchildren, Kayla, Keira, Rori, Taggart, Delaney, Fletcher, Abigail, Lawson, and Nylah; sisters Elizabeth Ann Flannery of Youngstown and Jeanne Foley of Youngstown; brothers James (Mary Agnes) McLaughlin and Atty. Richard (Betty) McLaughlin of Youngstown; and sister-in-law Monetta (Mario) LaLama of Cortland.

Suzanne was also preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Ann Vesy; sisters Mary Helen McMahon, Kathleen Heames, Rita Ryan, and Lenore Kerrigan-Nagle; and a brother, Vincent McLaughlin.

Family and friends may pay their respects Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center.

Suzanne's family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Wetzel, the staff at the Inn at Christine Valley and MVI Hospice for all of their wonderful care.

"She will always be with us in our hearts and prayers and the legacy she leaves us with are the lives of her devoted family, friends, and acquaintances, all of whom were made richer by her time with them."