Suzanne Jett (nee Matthews) – a strong willed, fun-loving Annapolis entrepreneur, devoted wife and mother and fiercely loyal friend to many—died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. She was only days away from her 48th birthday.
Affectionately called Suzi, she embraced life and believed, “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – Champagne in one hand – strawberries in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO, What a Ride.’
A strong advocate for empowering local artisans, Suzi opened Gallery 3976, a working studio space for small businesses in 2015. She followed the successful venture by opening two retail locations in Annapolis featuring the work of more than 100 local businesses called Local By Design. She was beloved by the artisans she featured in her stores who credited her with giving them an outlet for their businesses and talent.
Suzi loved the beach and spending time on the shores and in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. She was always up for an adventure and adored time with family and with her large group of friends. The world will be quieter without her infectious laugh and duller without her vibrant personality.
A devoted mother, Suzi was always the biggest cheerleader for her children and fought until the bitter end to beat cancer so she could remain with her family. Her strength and tenacity were inspirations for everyone who knew her and loved her.
Suzi grew up in Mount Airy, NC, the second daughter of Bobby and Mary Ruth Matthews. She attended Mount Airy Senior High School. She moved to Maryland in 2004 where she worked for many years for commercial real estate developer Erwin Greenburg of Greenburg Gibbons and flipped houses in Baltimore. Suzi was good at everything she tried.
In addition to her husband Tom of 13 years, she is survived by two sons Tyler Jennings, 28 of Dickinson, North Dakota; Colt Jett, 9, of Annapolis; daughter Samone Jett, 11, of Annapolis; father Bobbie and stepmother Margaret Matthews of Mount Airy, NC; sister Amy Urban of Pensacola, Florida; brother Eddie Matthews of Burlington, NC; stepbrothers Phillip Matthews of Concord, NC and Gregory Matthews of Mt. Airy, NC; and stepsister Lisa Olsen of Wilmington, NC. Her mother, Mary Ruth, who died in 2012, precedes her in death.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, January 25 from 6-8pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, 171 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 2pm at the church where Suzi was a proud member.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Hospice of the Chesapeake, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90A Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.
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