Suzanne Smith-King

Suzanne Smith-King passed away unexpectedly on October 3, 2024. She was the loving wife of Kevin King and beloved sister of Joan Smith (deceased), Mary Ellen Freundlich (David), Michael Smith (Audra), Jeanne Smith Fenton (James). Dear sister in law of James and Pat Bryan (deceased), Louie and Nancy King, and Walter and Paulette Honigford. She is preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Dorothy Smith of Greenville, PA. Suzanne was the cherished wife of Kevin, with whom she shared a very special marriage built on companionship and love. Suzanne and Kevin first met on Valentine’s Day, 1972 and were married on August 20, 1976. Suzanne was a loving and dedicated Aunt to twenty nieces and nephews. She was a special Aunt who took an active role in their lives, making each feel special while bringing a sense of fun to their relationships. Suzanne was also very dear to many great nieces and nephews. 

Suzanne was a graduate of St. Michael’s high school in Greenville, PA and Villa Maria College in Erie, PA, where she earned a teaching degree. She believed in life long learning and earned a Master’s degree in education from Kent State University. Moving to the Cleveland area in 1967, Suzanne taught first grade for 37 years at Ridgebury Elementary School in Lyndhurst, OH. In her role, she used her creativity, boundless energy, and keen sense of humor to inspire her students to love learning. Suzanne made a positive impact on the lives of innumerable children and families. During her career, Suzanne was awarded the Plain Dealer’s “Crystal Apple Award”, which recognized outstanding teachers in Northeast Ohio, after being nominated by a student and her mother. A large part of Suzanne’s life, beginning as a child with her Catholic family and attending parochial school, was her faith and service to the church. She was a co-chair of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church Decorating Committee in Chagrin Falls for nearly eight years. In her role, she used her artistic talent and her gifted eye for design to create beautiful displays and striking spaces. In recent years, Suzanne and Kevin regularly attended Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Macedonia. In keeping with her sense of faith was her philanthropy. Suzanne believed that helping others was an important aspect of serving God and bettering herself. Over the years, Suzanne volunteered for many organizations such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the American Cancer Society, the Gathering Place, and the Emergency Assistance Center. In her neighborhood, Suzanne also co-chaired community service events for the Villas at Taramina that benefited parents and students in the local schools. Suzanne believed in staying active and she enjoyed being busy. 

To that end, Suzanne enjoyed socializing with her many friends and had various hobbies. Until recently, when her Parkinson’s symptoms forced her to slow down, she was co-chair of the social committee and was instrumental in organizing and working events at the Villas at Taramina such as Lady’s night, Book Club, and Game Night. Notably, she started a Mah Jongg group that was a big success among her friends and neighbors. She also enjoyed playing Bridge, reading, and attending parties. Suzanne was an organizer with an eye for details, and she planned and executed many events for her husband Kevin’s fraternity. Suzanne was a gifted artist, and she was always making a craft or designing a beautiful space, and at her home, she tastefully decorated for each season. She and Kevin enjoyed traveling and frequently went to Florida or Arizona for the winter. Over the years, they traveled extensively throughout the country and in Europe. Suzanne took delight in new experiences and learning about different cultures, and greatly enjoyed visiting museums, gardens, and historic homes. Suzanne was the picture of class and sophistication, whether it was in her home decor or in her fashion and appearance. Suzanne was always impeccably dressed, with a stylish hairstyle and her signature red lipstick and red manicure. 

Throughout the years, Suzanne’s beauty never diminished. She was a lovely woman, inside and out. Suzanne will always be remembered as kind and generous, with a genuine talent for making people feel welcome and comfortable through her fun loving nature. Her wit and sense of humor brought smiles and laughter to those with whom she interacted. She was patient, understanding, and helpful, qualities which made her a brilliant teacher, and a source of comfort and cheer to her friends and family. Since her diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease, Suzanne was taking classes several days a week at InMotion in Beachwood, OH. The family prefers that, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to www.beinmotion.org, a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization in Beachwood exclusively helping Parkinson’s patients at no charge.

 A mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic church in Macedonia at 11:00 on Friday, October 25. A Celebration of Life will follow immediately in the parish hall.