Suzanne Shields Boucher
If there’s one thing you should know, it’s that you can’t even begin to pay tribute to Suzanne M. Shields-Boucher in a tiny little excerpt in the newspaper or online. At just 62, she passed away unexpectedly, and it has taken a heavy toll on those who loved her and are left behind to mourn her passing. While there’s no doubt a little piece of our hearts has been taken with the loss of Suzanne, it’s important to remember and reflect upon those little moments we all shared with her- those little moments that made life special and gave it meaning. It’s those little moments in life that meant the world to Suzanne, whose refrigerator and walls were covered with positive and inspirational quotes that always made your day a little brighter. She was also the queen of caretaking anyone she knew who was sick. Famous for her chicken noodle soup, Suzanne always knew how to make one feel just a little bit better. She was always thinking of others, picking up little gifts that she knew would be appreciated by the ones she cared about. She was a good friend like that- always looking out for and taking care of others. She worked alongside her brother and sisters at the family hardware store, Shields Lumber & Coal Co. for many years and was known for knowing everyone. She had the most infectious laugh and natural beauty; simply put, everyone loved Suzanne. And she cared for everyone, including several close friends from her days at Ursuline Academy, which she attended from K-12. She then went on to Franklin & Marshall, receiving her bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Suzanne went back to working at the family store, where she put her degree to good use. However, when the store closed, it took a little piece of each family member with them. However, just like it says on her kitchen cabinet, “Falling down is a part of life…getting back up is living.” She became the proud owner of her own cleaning company, Simply Clean, and made even more friends along the way; she had an amazing knack for networking and for working hard. Thank you to everyone who helped bring meaning to Suzanne’s life; to those who helped her when she struggled; to those that would listen to her stories and laugh along not because they had to, but because they wanted to. She was surrounded by those that loved her beyond measure before and when she passed.
Suzanne is survived by her mother, Ann C. Shields, daughter, Christine Shields, son, William Henry Boucher III, former husband, William Henry Boucher II, sisters, Karen S. Yasik, Cindy Scully and, brother John J. Shields and his wife Loretta Shields, as well as many of her nieces and nephews. One of Suzanne’s great talents was holiday decorating, and there are many of her clients who benefited from her personal collection in their holiday homes. With Halloween coming, she would have had her fall leaves around the fireplace mantle, with tiny lights threaded through them, and her little Halloween figures marching along the edge. While she loved all holidays, this was one of her favorites, and some of us will wear Halloween sweaters to make her smile that incredible smile of hers in heaven. Mama Bear, Suzanne, Suzi-Q, Witch - however you knew her, Suzanne was a multi-faceted woman with a heart that beat for everyone she knew. We will all miss her every day, but know that when our day comes, she will be waiting for us at the heavenly home with the picket fence she always wanted - and a bowl of chicken soup to welcome us home.
We’ll be saying our goodbyes to Suzanne with a memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Magdalen, 7 Sharpley Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803, her childhood parish, on Friday, October 28th at 11 AM. There will be visitation with the family from 9:45-10:45, when her children will say a few words. Suzanne will be buried near her father at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hockessin that day.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would graciously accept any donations to help in this time with the unexpected costs of the services and funeral. https://www.gofundme.com/f/xxy7br-suzanne-boucher
