Suzanne Helen Escobedo

Suzanne Helen Escobedo (nee Jurciukonis), surrounded by her loving family, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, November 18th from complications of metastatic breast cancer. 

She was only 73, but living fully in the present, she squeezed out every drop life could offer. 

Suzie gave her fullest through laughter and unconditional affection to everyone she knew. Always young at heart, she especially loved and protected young people and animals. She was called “our second mother” by many of her children’s friends. 

She was Intelligent, fun-loving, articulate and artistically gifted. Generous in every way, she asked for little, but gave us so much. 

Born on a scenic Lahaska Farm, she spent her early childhood in Bucks County. Her family relocated to Rapid City, South Dakota during her middle-childhood and then moved back to Bucks County (Doylestown Township) for her teenage years. She excelled scholastically at Central Bucks West H.S., attended Drew University, and then went on to get her Nursing Degree at the old Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing. 

It was love at first sight when she met her future husband, Lester. They spent their early years love-nesting on Henley Street at Carpenter’s Woods in West Mount Airy, raising their two wonderful children Jeff and Cindy and numerous cats. Though Suzie was a consummate Nurse RN, once their first baby arrived, she quickly chose to fully focus on her family and home. 

Outgrowing the Henley House which she loved so dearly, they moved into Inglewood, a beautiful historic estate in Chestnut Hill, whose grounds provided the perfect canvas for her elegant gardens bursting forth from her carefully nurtured seedlings and cuttings. She was a caring and devoted mother, cat-fancier and chihuahua-lover. Inside, she surrounded herself with antiques, art and collectable objects. 

She loved to cook; her great natural ability having been nurtured by her beloved grandmother. She had a brilliant mind and could solve most puzzles in minutes. 

Artistically gifted, but never considering herself an artist, Suzie had the (left) hand of a caricaturist. She amazed her architect husband who could only wish to have her raw talent. Once she was invited to participate in a life- drawing class at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and was deemed by the professor to be the best in class, comparing her drawing skills to those of Michaelangelo! 

Her striking figure and long blond hair of her youth gradually gave way to the ravages of breast cancer, which she fought fearlessly and with amazing good humor for 22 years. She bravely told her husband in her last days that she was not afraid to die but didn’t want to leave him all alone. She said she would be waiting for him and knows they will be together again. 

Suzie will endure in the hearts of her family and close friends. She is survived by her adoring husband, two children, granddaughter, brother and twin sisters, nieces and nephews. Her husband and children plan to spread her ashes at the many national parks and monuments she visited over her years from Acadia to Muir Woods. 

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of her life on Monday, December 2nd at 1:00 PM at Jacob F. Ruth Funeral Directors. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Suzie’s memory to Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center would be most welcome. https: www.aark.org/