Jean M. Suits

Jean Mary Suits, 86, passed away peacefully after a short stay at the Waterville Residential Care Center.

Jean was born on April 4, 1936, in Birmingham, England, to Harry and Nora Winnall. Despite living in the United States since her early twenties, Jean retained her British citizenship and was proud of her English heritage. As a young adult she moved to the United States to work as a nanny. This work landed her in Syracuse where she would meet her future husband John Suits. After being drafted into the army, John was stationed in West Germany where the couple were married. After the army the couple settled in Bouckville, New York. Jean was a stay at home mom raising the couple’s three children for a number of years before she started working for Yankel & Company Catering in Syracuse. Jean and John would remain in Bouckville for the majority of their marriage, until John‘s passing in 1990. After retirement, Jean lived at St. Joseph Manor in Syracuse where she led an active social life with other residents and engaged in many functions at the neighboring Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Jean spent the last two years living with her daughter Julie in Bouckville.

Jean loved traveling. She would go back to her native England whenever possible and had traveled to such places as Mexico, Canada, Australia, Norway, Germany, France, Singapore, Hong Kong, islands throughout the Caribbean, a dozen different states (including Hawaii, California, Texas, and Florida), as well as her beloved Guernsey in the English Channel Islands. Her refrigerator was always covered in souvenir magnets from all of her travel destinations. Jean also loved reading, knitting, collecting miniature houses, and watching figure skating.

Anyone that ever met Jean fell in love with her right away. Her pleasant, soft spoken demeanor was always inviting. She loved visiting with friends and family and was always quick to offer a cup of tea. People loved hearing her subtle English accent. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and coworkers, along with all that had the distinct pleasure of knowing her.

Jean is survived by her three children Julie Anne Suits of Bouckville, John Christopher Suits (Nickie) of Gouverneur, and James Michael Suits of Syracuse, her brother Christopher Winnall (Glenda) of Stone, England, several nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband John Allen Suits and her parents Nora and Harry Winnall.

No public services are planned at this time. Private graveside services will take place in Madison Village Cemetery. Family care is being personally provided by Jeffrey T. Paul, Director of the Paul Funeral Home of Brookfield. To offer a message of condolence, please visit: paulfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the following organizations in Jean’s memory: American Lung Association, American Stroke Foundation, or Parkinson's Foundation

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