Suzanne Irene Dean

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:28-30

Suzanne Irene DeTalent Dean was a strong Christian woman, her life was a true testament of the love and grace of God. Her faith was a beacon that shone brightly for all who had the privilege to know her.

Suzanne was born on October 24,1945 to George & Dolores DeTalent in Chicago, Illinois. She has an older sister, Barbara Buss and a younger brother Lyle DeTalent (who preceded her in death). As a young woman she was quite active and enjoyed playing Basketball and Softball. She was also a very good artist; she loved painting and drawing.

Her love for music is what drew her to meeting her husband Charles Dean (who preceded her in death) She met him in the mid 1960’s where he was playing music with a band. She was attending nursing school at the time. They began dating and fell in love. Charles & Suzanne were married on 5-21-1966 at Suzanne’s family church – Zion Lutheran Church. Just a year after being married Suzanne had her first daughter Jennifer in July of 1967. Her second daughter came 2 and a half years later Sandra in March of 1970.

Suzanne loved spending time with both sides of the family, hers and her husbands while they lived in Chicago. She opened a gift shop called Suzanne’s Homelines. She loved making up arrangements and picking out special gifts. She brought both her young daughters to work with her. After taking a vacation to visit family in Arizona, Suzanne & her husband decided there were much better business opportunities in Phoenix, Arizona. So, they packed up their family of 4 and moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1972.

They bought their first home in Maryvale. They started their first wholesale business named United Distributors in Glendale, AZ. This was a wholesale floral supply business. The business grew quite nicely in the first few years, so they decided to build their first custom home in Moon Valley in 1976. They joined a small church that started in the elementary school named All Saints Lutheran Church. Where they attended regularly.

Their business continued to grow, they had several salespeople in multiple states. Lots of family members moved to Arizona for a better opportunity and worked for Charles & Suzanne. In the mid 1980’s they were able to secure a pottery line in the FTD catalog. They began manufacturing their own pottery line. It really took off, so they decided to design and build a bigger warehouse/manufacturing plant. They took many family vacations all over the country. Also, music was very important to both Suzanne & Charles. They loved getting together with family & friends to play music & sing. Suzanne sang for the church choir for many years.

After Suzannes children grew up, her and her husband downsized to a beautiful home they had built in the Arrowhead Lakes area. They started a secondary wholesale business importing baskets named Associated Merchandisers, also in Glendale. In the mid 1990’s Suzanne & her husband became members of Hillside Baptist Church. In 1998 Suzanne lost her husband of 32 years. This was a very unexpected loss and led Suzanne to sell her family home and business. She decided to retire and began doing several ministries for the Lord. Also, she spent a lot of time showing up for her grandchildren’s activities. She was always their biggest fan.

Suzanne had suffered many health issues and in her mid-thirties the doctors predicted her life span would only be 40 years old. She suffered from a neuromuscular disease named Myasthenia Gravis, she also had Rheumatoid Arthritis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and severe back problems. She also suffered from several broken bones and multiple surgeries. She did not let any of the health issues stop her from attending Sunday School & Church and doing her ministries throughout the week. One of her favorite verses always kept her going, Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

Her ministries that she did during the week included:

1. Bread Ministry – picking up and delivering multiple loaves of bread to the needy

2. Baked homemade cookies and cakes and would bring them to the nursing home and visit whoever wanted a visit, along with her service dog Roxy

3. The Food Bank Downtown – she handed out Bibles and pass along cards and prayed with whoever wanted prayer

4. Delivered food boxes to the people who could not get out of the house, shared her faith with all of them and led many people to Christ

5. Taught vacation bible school, Awana, and volunteered at many church events

She did all her ministries despite her own health issues. She used a walker and just kept going no matter what.

Suzanne always embraced her faith with unwavering devotion. She found solace and strength in the teachings of the Bible. She lived her life according to the principles of love, compassion and service to the Lord. She spread the message of Salvation to her entire family, friends and many other people throughout her ministries. Every morning, her daily routine was to read the word, her devotional book and pray over all her loved ones. She also loved sending encouraging cards to those in need. All her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember her for the many cards given/sent at every holiday, or just a because note, they always included encouragement and scripture. Another one of Suzanne’s favorite verses was Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Suzanne is preceded in death by her father George DeTalent, mother Dolores DeTalent, brother Lyle DeTalent, husband Charles Dean and grandson Justin Finley

She is survived by her sister Barbara Buss, her daughters Jennifer Jackson & Sandra Dean, her grandchildren Brittany Jackson, Kristen Jackson, Jessica & Terilyn Finley, her great-grandchildren Elijah Lattimore, Jeziah Jackson, Amari Jackson-James, Andre Jackson-Johnson, Jaidyn Clay. And many cousins, nephews & nieces

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Matthew 25:21 Well done good and faithful servant