Suzanne M. Hower, 88, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, at her home in Concord after a long battle with dementia.
Susie was born in Niles, Illinois, to Junius and Mary Mulvey. She grew up with three sisters and a brother in Arlington Heights and then Palatine, Illinois. Susie attended Mills College in Oakland, California, pursuing a liberal arts education. There she especially enjoyed studying art history with Alfred Frankenstein, a well-known art and music critic in the Bay Area. While at Mills, she met her husband, Phil. They have been married for 63 years.
Susie was a talented artist and musician but still found time to devote to her busy family. She loved to collect old, beautiful things as well as natural objects. Susie maintained a whimsical approach to creativity and collecting her entire life. She was an individual in spirit and style and paid scant attention to what everyone else was doing. She had a wonderful sense of humor and frequently presented her family with her own artwork depicting special events or occasions.
One of Susie’s great joys was her doll collection, which she lovingly cared for, restoring and looking after the dolls. She was a member of numerous local and national doll clubs. She was also a regular participant and volunteer at the Concord Free Public Library. Susie found work as a duck decoy painter, bringing ducks to life with detailed perfection. She was also a self-taught quilter, seamstress, and crochet artist. She was always looking for new media to express her creativity.
But her main effort was caring for her family, and there she excelled as a natural mom and grandma, providing unconditional love and enthusiastic support. She was always kind and genuinely complimentary to everyone she met, spreading smiles and encouragement.
Susie is survived by her husband Philip, son Benjamin, daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Kevin, granddaughters June and Julia, and siblings Mary, Julia, Patricia, and Richard.
Services will be private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or offer a condolence on Susie’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
