Mary Suzanne “Suzi” Noonan, 69, of North Platte, Neb., formerly of Aurora, Ill., died March 25, 2014 at home in North Platte after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. She was born July 13, 1944, in Dallas, Texas, to Dr. Stuart B. Stafford and Christine (Kozeal) Stafford.
Suzi graduated in 1962 from St. Patrick High School in North Platte and, after attending St. Louis University, graduated in 1966 from Creighton University in Omaha. For most of her career, she was a medical technologist at the former St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and at Mercy Center hospital in Aurora. She was most recently a technician for the University of Nebraska Ag Research facility in North Platte and also worked at the Salvation Army’s Girls Home. She served as medical technologist at the Darnall Army Medical Center at Ft. Hood, Texas, during the Vietnam War.
She loved spending time at her family ranch in Nebraska’s Sand Hills country, in Paxton, west of North Platte. As a youth, she and her palomino, “Candy,” won many barrel-racing events at rodeos in western Nebraska and she was named “Sutherland Rodeo Queen.” She was a member of the NCAA varsity basketball cheerleader squads for both the St. Louis U. Billikens and the Creighton U. Bluejays. She was an avid student of all levels of government and was active in the Democratic Party. She was a precinct committeewoman in Aurora and was a member of Adlai E. Stevenson’s U.S. Senate campaign in the 1970s. Suzi was an avid reader, and most enjoyed a good crime novel or mystery, and a Christmas didn’t pass without a homemade knitted gift to one of her children or grandchildren. She was especially proud of her four children and six grandchildren, and enjoyed a loving relationship with her daughters-in-law.
Suzi is survived by her mother; her children, Katie Richards of Cyprus, Christie Hahn of Chicago, Joe (Kim) Noonan of Dallas and Peter (Hilary) Noonan of Denver; her grandchildren, Tara Kaplan, Declan Richards, Connor Hahn, Davis Hahn, Wendy Noonan and Norah Noonan; a sister, Kay; and a brother, Kent. She was preceded in death by her father, and a sister, Janet, in childhood.
Special thanks and gratitude from her children go to Great Plains Hospice for taking such good care of their mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army of North Platte, 1020 N Adams Ave, North Platte, NE ‎69101 and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Rosary will be held 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 28, 2014 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, 421 W 4th St. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 29, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Church, 415 N Chestnut with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. A luncheon will be held at St. Pat’s Church hall immediately following the ceremony. Burial will be at the Paxton Nebraska Cemetery immediately following the luncheon. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. today and Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.