Suzanne Carole Benninga

Suzanne was born in Manhattan, NY. At the age of 11 she and her family moved to the Philippines and at age 15 Suzanne graduated high school there. She attended and graduated college at Leslie College in Boston and became a kindergarten teacher. Several years later, in 1969, her parents moved to Asheville, NC where Suzanne met and married Jacques (Jack) in 1971. Jack was finishing his undergraduate degree and upon its completion, the couple moved to Nashville, TN where Jack taught school and enrolled in and finished his graduate education. The young couple then moved to Lexington, KY for Jack’s work. While in Lexington, Suzanne conceptualized and built an agency to address child abuse. That agency, The Nest, will soon celebrate 50 years of steady growth and influence. In 1983 Jack’s work took the couple to Fresno where they’ve lived since.

Suzanne was a bright and focused, but introverted person. She was an accomplished musician and artist, took the lead in remodeling her home, and learned basic concepts of investing.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, two sons, Zachary and Alex, her daughter-in-law (Nicole), and to two very wonderful grandchildren, Jacob and Lucy. She was loved by them all because she was a perceptive and attentive wife, mother, and grandmother.

May her memory be a blessing.

A graveside service for Suzanne will be held Friday, March 14, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1701 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728.