A Life Well Lived - Suzanne Culver

December 29, 2015, my sweet mama passed away. Suzanne Culver was a spunky, beautiful lady and we are going to miss her more than words can say. She died peacefully in her sleep at home, which is exactly as she wanted it. Her health had been declining over the past year, but she was active and doing things she loved right up until a few days before Christmas ... things like sewing quilted items to raise money for a friend's sidewalk Sunday school ministry for children in the highest povery, highest crime areas of Chandler.  

Love is a deep thing. It brings great joy and even great pain, but life is beautiful because of it. Even in this this moment, when the tears come and the ache of her absence is great, my heart overflows with love and gratitude. My mom was a quiet person, but she was generous, thoughtful, and loving, and I know that my life and the lives of many are richer for having known her.

I'm thankful for my husband who made a home for her with us here in Arizona these past 8 years. And for our daughters who spent time with her and brought her joy just in being together. Oh and what a blessing that she got to meet and spend time with her great-grandson, Hartford!

I find that the temptation to yield to thoughts of regret is strong ... things I wish I would have done or said but didn't. If you knew her, maybe you feel that way too. Perhaps you meant to call her or were planning to send a card or to come visit. She wouldn't want any of us to live in regret. She loved the people in her life and we all loved her. That is enough. 

So think of my mom. Remember her with joy. Let the tears come for the loss, but smile when you think of her. She is smiling back. 

Below is the long version of the obituary we wrote for her. A shorter version will appear soon in the Arizona Republic and Minneapolis Star Tribune as well as the newspaper in Bull Shoals, AR. 

If you knew my mom, I invite you to share a memory of time spent with her or a comment about what she meant to you. Reading all of the memories of my mom and hearing from friends and family has been incredibly meaningful and comforting. Your memories of her make me treasure her all the more. 

My prayer is for peace and comfort to all who knew and loved her. We grieve, but not with despair. It's not the end. It's just goodbye for now.

Suzanne Marjory Culver (Saffell), 71, passed away December 29, 2015 in Chandler, AZ. Suzanne was born in Minneapolis, July 30, 1944, the daughter of Charles and Ruth Saffell, the oldest of four children. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. In addition to working in the family printing business for many years, she was a skilled medical transcriptionist for close to 40 years. She married Joseph Weiss in 1967. Together they had three children. After their divorce, she remarried. Suzanne and Richard Culver were married for 28 years until Rick’s death in 2007. They lived in Bull Shoals, AR for many years where they owned a tackle store and fishing guide business. Suzanne moved to Arizona to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and James Manos, after Rick passed away. She spent her retirement years volunteering at church, running a food pantry, sewing quilted items and aprons, and handling registration for the Arizona home education convention. Most recently her handcrafted items were sold to raise money for JumpStart Ministries. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, Minions, reading fiction, helping around the house, being part of family life, and eating good food ... including chicken chow mein which she had shipped down from David Fongs in Bloomington, MN. She was generous, loved helping others, and she brought joy to everyone she met.

She is survived by her children Nancy (James) Manos of Chandler, AZ, Jeffrey Weiss of Irving, TX, and Dianne Weiss of Denver, CO; her siblings Gary (Pat) Saffell of Rutherford, TN, Guy (Kim) Saffell of Minneapolis, MN, and Gregg Saffell of Vadnais Heights, MN; her grandchildren Olivia (Blake) Citro, Alexandra Manos, Mason Weiss, Ian Weiss, and Christian Weiss; her mother-in-law Jean Culver; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and her great-grandson, Hartford West Citro.

Suzanne died peacefully in her sleep at home. A gathering for family and friends to celebrate her life will be held February 6 in Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to JumpStart Ministries (jumpstart-ministries.org) or Arizona Families for Home Education (afhe.org). 

PHOTO SLIDESHOW

This is the photo slideshow we put together for my mom's Celebration of Life gathering held February 6, 2016. Enjoy!

Suzanne Marjory Culver 1944-2015 Slideshow