Suzanne French

Sue spent her formative years in Dubuque, IA and Stockton, IL, surviving two bouts of acute rheumatic fever which required that she convalesce for months at a time. It was during these extended periods of physical inactivity that Sue cultivated her imagination and curiosity for life and developed a prolific love of reading.

After graduating from Northern Illinois Teachers College in 1954, Sue taught first grade in Rockford, IL, demonstrating a particular compassion for her underprivileged students. It was during that time that she met the love of her life, David, and were married in June of 1957. During the subsequent she focused on raising her children, Janine, Paul, Shawn, and Ann Kelly, in their homes in Rockford, Danville (IL), and Mt. Prospect.

The Catholic Church held a significant role in both Sue and Dave’s life, as their 50+ years as faithful parishioners at St. James Church in Arlington Heights will attest. Together they were active in the Family Christian Enrichment (FCE) program, counseled myriad couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage, and Sue was a member of the parish liturgy staff in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the 1980s along with a group of women, Sue made a Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) retreat and over the following decades maintained many cherished friendships from that experience.

Suzanne returned to school in her 50s, receiving a Master's Degree from Loyola University of Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies, and over the years was a spiritual companion to many. She founded and led several small prayer groups at St. James.

Fueled by a desire to maintain a good posture as she aged, Sue began working out with a personal trainer in her 70s, discovering a love of weight-lifting. She continued this hobby for the remainder of her life, which was a great source of joy. In addition to being a prolific painter (her works in the medium of oils are displayed in many homes), and a talented baker of pies, her three great joys in life were her faith, her family, and her home in Galena. Having been raised in Jo Davies county in northwest Illinois, Sue (and Dave) were drawn to the beauty of the territory surrounding the historic city of Galena, building a vacation home there, and reveling in its peacefulness for over 40 years.

Suzanne is survived by her brother Edward Schuckert, and her children Janine Foy, Paul (Kristi) French, Shawn (Beth) French, and Ann Kelly (Steve) Schmidt; grandchildren Mollie French, William (Alexandra Leonardo) French, Alexandra Schmidt, Andrew French, and James Foy; great-grandchildren Leo French, and James French; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, David Michael French; grandsons Jack French, and Brendan French.

The family wishes to offer a note of profound gratitude to the staff of American House Mt. Prospect for their compassionate and professional care over the past five years.

Visitation for Suzanne will take place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 831 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.

Suzanne was known for her generosity and enjoyed giving to others. In lieu of flowers, to honor Sue, those desiring may make contributions either to the Piarist School in Hagerhill, KY, https://www.piaristschool.org an organization that was very close to Suzanne, or to please consider making a donation in her memory to a charity that is close to your heart.