Suzanne L. Dorrell

Suzanne L. (Konwinski), (Groff), Dorrell, died Friday January 8, 2010. She was born at home during a night time blizzard in Toledo, Ohio on January 12, 1929 , the only child of John Konwinski and Laura Posadny Konwinski. As a daughter with working parents, Suzanne spent much of her preschool years with her beloved grandmother who spoke only Polish and loved to dance to the music from her old victrola. Growing up in Toledo, she had many fond memories of feeding the ducks at Sleepy Hollow, ice skating with her father and many trips to Toledo Beach with her family Suzanne met and married Richard B. Groff of Groff's Hosiery and Ladies Fine Apparel, where she had been an employee. Suzanne spoke often of the many family gatherings and activities at the family home on the north shore of Lake Erie. Suzanne and Dick had three children, Laurie, Eddie and (John) Tracy. In March of 1965 the family suffered a tragic house fire from which Dick and the boys did not survive. Many years later Suzanne married Judge Robert Dorrell who fondly called her Suzi. They were married by Bob's dear friend Monseigneur Schmidt at the historic St. Patrick's Church downtown and they spent 15 fun filled years together frequenting the Toledo Club, traveling with friends and enjoying watching their combined families grow and prosper. Suzi lived long enough to enjoy seeing her granddaughter Kellie Marie attend St. Mary's College of Notre Dame and Pratt Art Institute of New York, travel, marry Troy D. Smith of Maine, New York and have two beautiful great grandchildren Ian Knight Smith and Abigail Knight Smith who began calling her GG. For Suzi's 80th Christmas she traveled to up state New York to spend the holiday with them. Suzi had been an avid reader, the library had been her mainstay and she especially enjoyed trading books with her close friends. She enjoyed history based books and anything that was about the American Indian. She even told the doctor at the hospital on her last day, "I want to die like an Indian...with pride." Of course the good old Enquirer wasn't far from her favorite chair! To be near her daughter Laurie and son-in-law Kevin Knight, the loves of her life, she moved from Toledo in 2002 to Stonebridge in Powell, Ohio. She acquired many very, very special friends and neighbors that she adored. She also missed the dearest of friends from Westowne Court that she had shared so many precious, fun times with. No matter where she had lived and who she knew, all would agree how easy she was to talk to. Gracious, happy, and down to earth she even had a little metaphysical twist to her theories on life. Her family's appreciation is extended to all her physicians that helped her live that quality life and to her special care giver Jeanne that made her feel and look like a princess each and everyday and made sure her beloved cat Onyx was always looking dapper. Always there for support, comfort and care were step granddaughter Liz (Steve) Buila, step daughter Jackie (Alan) Kiefer and step granddaughter Kirstin Kiefer. The youngest of the family, step great-grandson Evan Buila, was so special in Suzi's life and heart. She also spoke so proudly of stepson John Dorrell and his daughters Jill (Jeff) Stofa and Jennifer (Matt) Runkle. Although an only child, Sue had many cousins, aunts and uncles from the Konwinski and Posadny families. Surviving are Aunt Mary Jagodznski, cousins Tom (Jan) and Claude (Jill) Jagodznski, Uncle Delburt Lawrence, cousin Ann Clarkson, cousin Barbara (Richard) Farmer, cousins Bernadine (Posadny) Miller, and Patsy (Posadny) Bull to mention just a few. To celebrate her life, her memorial service will be held on her birthday, Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Peace at the Toledo Memorial Park, Sylvania, Ohio. Family and friends will be received 1/2 hour prior to the service. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Toledo Zoo or The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Suzanne L. Dorrell

January 12, 1929 - January 8, 2010