Suzanne Camille Alexis Ryan

Suzanne Camille Alexis Ryan, loving sister, aunt, friend, and colleague, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Bloomington. She was born the second daughter and third child of six of Theodore L. and Shirley A. Commons on January 20, 1955, in Beech Grove, Indiana.

Suzanne moved with her family all over the country and experienced many of the local cultures and nuances offered in the areas she lived including Indiana, Maryland, Alabama, California, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This inspired in her a love of travel and many exciting life experiences. She loved the ocean, the Outer Banks, and as her best friend Sam said, “the wide open skies of Oklahoma”.

She cared deeply for humans and animals alike, especially the under served and marginalized. She was known for going to great lengths to save them all, from a small insect, injured baby rabbit, or adopting a rescue animal. As she cared so deeply she also shared those convictions with family, friends and anyone she felt was violating those convictions. Those that were around her knew better than to use any phrase that would be interpreted as harming an animal, a bird in hand was fine, however, suggesting injuring two birds with one stone would be taboo. Dinner conversations could be quite lively.

After graduating college with her BA degree in Psychology, with Distinction, from Wayne State University in Detroit, in 1977, she began her career in Southern California, eventually migrating to Norman, Oklahoma, and finally landing at Indiana University in Bloomington, where she invested the last 24 years of her human resources career. Under her leadership of Employee & Labor Relations, she endlessly advocated for human resources practices that positively impacted employees and management alike. Over the years, she became fondly known for her university institutional knowledge, which will be sorely missed. During her career she mentored many human resources professionals and helped to catapult their careers. Suzanne devoted herself fully to Indiana University, and her impact will be felt for years to come. She worked until her passing, and never got to enjoy her retirement, which would have included road trips to the Outer Banks, in North Carolina, which was her most treasured vacation destination. She will be warmly remembered for her candor, kindness, empathy, generosity, compassion, and commitment for what is right. Many enjoyed her keen intellect, her infectious smile, and great sense of humor. She loved her daily Starbucks coffee, a sweet treat, and was quite fond of gourmet dark chocolate, or a good margarita.

She is survived by her dear four legged child, her precious dog, Scrappy; her five siblings, Theodore J. (Joanna) Commons, Cheryl A. Huang, Kyle A. (Grace) Commons,

Charles D. Commons (Mary Ann Alegria), and Timothy N. (Ann) Commons; and nieces and nephews, Elise, Deirdre, Matthew, Michael, Jacob, Jessie, Krystal, Andrew, Kyle, Lauren and Melissa; as well as seven great-nieces and nephews, her aunt Linda (John) Morgason, and best friend Susan aka Sam .

Family and friends are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life scheduled from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Day, & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home – 4150 East Third Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47401. Contributions may be made in her name to the Monroe County Humane Society or to The Nest (Adopt a Pet).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com for the Ryan family.