Suzanne Elizabeth Abbey

On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, Suzanne Elizabeth (Sue) Abbey went Home at the age of 83. Her sudden passing was a shock to her children, grandchildren, and all of those who loved her. But as Sue would say, “The Lord is in charge of the comings and the goings.”

The coming occurred on August 20, 1938, in Warren, Ohio. Sue was the only child of Thomas and Edith (Inman) Standing. Valedictorian of her senior class at Collinwood High School in Cleveland, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in 1960 and began a career in education that spanned more than four decades. A few months later, Sue married her middle school sweetheart, Rev. Louis Randall (Randy) Abbey.

The life they built together took them from their native Ohio to Alabama, New York, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, and finally back to Florida—Sue always bloomed where she was planted. No matter where life took her, she was an active member in her church and her community. Her favorite settings to bloom were those in which she could share her love of children as a children’s librarian and media specialist. Her irrepressible spirit and contagious smile helped her make friends in any and every environment.

For the last twenty years, Sue has been a Jacksonville resident. Her rich and fulfilling life here included many varied interests, including music, sewing and quilting, reading and education, and giving of her time and talents. She was an active member of the All Star Quilters’ Guild, the PEO, and Lakewood United Methodist Church. At Lakewood, Sue volunteered wherever and whenever she could, assisting in the office every Thursday afternoon, expressing her musical talents and joyfully praising God with the Chancel and handbell choirs, sharing her compassionate heart as a Stephen Minister, and leading the tight-knit Grief Relief group (a ministry originally led by her late husband).

Sue adored children—generously giving hugs, and reading her favorite books regularly during “story time” at the preschool—and they loved “Miss Sue” generously in return. She understood the importance of modeling kindness. “Children watch what you do,” she would say, “so watch what you do.” She truly left her mark wherever she went.

Her reunion with her father, mother, and her husband has been completed. Left to carry on her legacy are her three children and six grandchildren—Kathy Haworth (husband Walt, children Erin and Katie), Tom Abbey (wife Holly, children Trent and Quinn), and Chris (wife Sandra, children Julia and Ali)—as well as innumerable extended family and dear friends.

A service to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 11 o’clock in the morning at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 6133 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider giving a gift in her memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Donations can be made online at www.lls.org or by mail to LLS-Northern and Central Florida, PO Box 735284, Dallas, TX 75373-5284.

If you knew Sue, you are surely feeling the loss. If you didn’t know her, you missed out. A teacher to the end, she would want you to learn something new every day. She would tell you that if you don’t know what a word means, look it up. She would encourage you to read more, to laugh more, to travel more, to sing more. She would want you to know that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, that a hug can cure almost anything, and that kindness is absolutely free. She would remind you that you are loved, and that “this, too, shall pass.”