Jean W. Sucsy

Sucsy, Jean W., 97, of Saint Louis, Missouri, died on July 7, 2020.

Jean was born in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, 1922.  Her father served as superintendent of the school districts of Pineville, KY and Barbourville, KY.  Jean enjoyed lead roles in high school plays and was twice honored by being elected as queen of the Mount Laurel Festival.   She attended Union College and subsequently the University of Kentucky from which she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1943. Upon receiving her degree, Jean taught school for a year in Ohio.

Jean met Arthur Conrad Sucsy in 1945 where they were both working on the effort of the World War II Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  Art was serving in the United States Army, assigned to the Special Engineer Detachment, working on the development and construction of the atomic bomb.  Jean was employed to assist in the orientation of the families who were assigned to live in the research town.  At the end of World War II, they moved to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where Art returned to complete his PhD in organic chemistry.  David, their first son, was born in Ithaca.

Jean, Art, and young son, David, moved to Moorestown, New Jersey, for Art's  employment with Rohm and Haas Chemical Company.  Their other two children were born there, and Jean served as President of the Moorestown PTA.  In 1957 they moved to the suburbs of Chicago, built their second house, and soon began preparing to move their family for Art's new work assignment in Milan, Italy.

While living with her family in Milan, Italy, from 1959 to 1965, Jean helped start two schools, the International School of Milan, and the American Community School of Milan (now the American School of Milan).  During that time she also served as the President of the exclusive British American Club of Milano.  She loved the Italian people, their culture, and the beauty of the land. While living in Europe, Jean and Art were thrilled to travel extensively around the world

After returning to the United States, Jean and Art settled their family in Rydal, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.  Jean was a devoted member of the Valley Road  Church of Christ, in Warrington.  Jean enjoyed world wide travel, entertaining, and becoming a beloved grandmother.  She enthusiastically worked as an assistant in Dale Carnegie courses, and supervised the sales for Josiah Davidson Scenic Photography, a business owned by her son, David.  Jean devotedly cared for Art's mother in their home.

In 1996 Jean and Art moved to Lubbock, Texas, to live closer to their family.  The Broadway Church of Christ and Lubbock Christian University were the blessed recipients of the focus of Jean's talents for hospitality and benevolence.

Jean was a lifelong advocate of education and was always active in her church.  She was blessed to claim Jesus Christ as her savior.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Karen Woodward and her husband, Dr. Gary Woodward, of Saint Louis, Missouri; her son, Steven Sucsy, and his wife, Barbara Sucsy, of Lubbock, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Peggy Sucsy, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; her grandchildren: Sarah Woodward Ernst, Peter Woodward, Alisha Sucsy Donet, Joshua Sucsy, Hannah Sucsy Willis, Hannah Sucsy Stinson, Bethi Woodward Fraser, Martha Sucsy, Alan Sucsy, and  her great-grandchildren: Benjamin Donet, Ryan Donet, Jenna Donet, Eika Willis, Henry Willis, Evangeline Willis, Benjamin Sucsy, Jude Willis, Aubrey Dunaway, Steven Fraser, Ruthie Lissner, Emma Sucsy, Hayden Ernst, Alice Fraser, and Elijah Stinson.

Jean is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Dr. Arthur C. Sucsy (1921- 2015); her parents, William and Martha Hancock Wilson; her brother, George McDonald Wilson; her sister, Sarah Gilreath Wilson Lawson; and her son, David Conrad Sucsy.

Jean will be interred with her husband at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.  A memorial service in Lubbock will be scheduled on a date to be determined after current health concerns have abated. The family suggests donations to Lubbock Christian University in lieu of flowers.