Obituary of Suzanne Viola Gephart

Suzanne Viola Gephart, who resided in Marquette, Michigan and The Villages, Florida, died Friday, March 8th, 2019 at the age of 70 years (young).

She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Peter Kekic and Viola (Sparre), along with Lorie (Blair) and Peter Jr (deceased). She then attended St. Jude Elementary and Osborn High School, where she met her husband to be, Jeffrey, a marriage lasting 3 months short of 50 years. After graduation, Suzanne studied and became an LPN through the Detroit Mercy School of Nursing. She steadfastly supported her husband emotionally and financially through medical school and beyond.  This led her to move around the country and internationally.

Suzanne and her family settled in a rural Marquette, Michigan for the next 39 years where she devoted her life to nurturing, loving and supporting her two boys, Derek and Matthew.

As the boys became more independent, Suzanne went back to school.  She attended Northern Michigan University, first receiving her Registered Nursing degree while earning the honors of top student, then her masters as a Nurse Practitioner.  She joined a practice with Dr. C. Arnold in plastic surgery, later opening her own skin care independent office.  During those same years, Suzanne pioneered the local Freedom from Smoking programs, receiving national recognition from the American Lung Association.  She also assisted in the establishment of Beacon House, a hospitality home for family of people hospitalized away from their home. 

Suzanne had an adventuresome spirit, with travel to Europe, zip lines in Central America, safaris in Africa, visits to Egyptian Pyramids and tramping in New Zealand.  She had an artistic and eclectic flair, ranging from writing, painting, and her main passion, the craft of stamping.  She loved keeping in contact with the cards she created.  Suzanne loved all animals, especially birds and dogs, with the most special being her puppy Sparkles, which gave her great comfort.

The last five years she lived between two homes; one in Florida and one in Michigan, there enjoying the company, companionship and activities that The Villages presented.  These included golfing, exploring, socializing, playing samba and of course her joy of cooking.  She traveled extensively around the United States in their small motor home (the Pea Pod II) with the one love of her life, Jeffrey, doing lots of mountain climbing along the way.  Almost everyone who knew her can say she added both color and sparkle to their lives.

Suzanne is survived by her husband Jeffrey, two children Derek (Ann) and Matthew (Jessica) and four grandchildren (Bastian, Maximilian, Corbin and Fletcher).

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, from 4-5 pm with a Celebration Reception to share memories of your time with Suzanne, which will be located at Hiers-Baxley Funeral and Cremation Life Event Center, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Dreams for Seniors Charity, Inc. Attention: Debbie Davison Founder, 2893 Oak Point Terrace, The Villages, FL 32163. Phone: 309-202-2688. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hiers-baxley.com.

http://www.upbeaconhouse.org/