Suzanne Mary Jean Rowan

SUZANNE MARY JEAN CHRISTINE ROWAN

Small but fierce, Suzanne Rowan came into the world two months premature 77 years ago but fought to survive with every itty bitty baby breath– too curious about life to give up without a battle. She left this world in the same way – feisty and determined, hanging on until the very last after a valiant struggle against health challenges that touched her frail body from head to toe. She passed in peace into the arms of her beloved Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on October 28, 2026.

Suzanne attended Mt. Carmel Academy and graduated from LSUNO with a degree in English Education. Her sisters in Zeta Tau Alpha became her college family. She did her student teaching at East Jefferson High School and taught at the school for 35 years until Hurricane Katrina disrupted her career. She loved the kids and, like so many of her EJ colleagues, invested herself in classwork and in supporting numerus clubs and educational activities. Her mother’s primary caregiver, Suzanne moved from New Orleans to Daphne, Alabama in 2006 to provide a more secure environment for her post-Katrina. Suzanne found a home at Christ the King Catholic Church where she was a Eucharist Minister, a Lecter, and member of both the Sodality and Blessed Father Selos Prayer Group. She will be remembered as a leader, advisor, mentor and friend to many who were fortunate enough to know her.

Greeting her at the Pearly Gates were her parents, Albert and Jeanne, nephew Jeffrey Michael, Aunts and Uncles Lloyd, Louise, Marcel, Celie, Selma and Wesley along with numerous cousins and friends. Missing her here below are her sister Deanne (Guy), brother Michael (Patti), nephews Christopher, David, Scott, and Kevin, niece Jeanne, adopted ‘Sistahs’ Beth Joffrion, Elaine Waldron and Sarah Prosper, brother by another mother Basem, and her extended family and friends both in New Orleans and Daphne. Her Goddaughter Karen, husband Larry, and their entire family held a special place in Suzanne’s heart and their care for and friendship with her during her time in Alabama blessed her deeply.

The family wishes to thank Erica Little and the precious staff of Gentiva Hospice for their kind and skilled care and Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home and Crematory for their gracious help with final arrangements. Suzanne will return to New Orleans where a private graveside service will be held later this year. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”