Olivea Clarice Suazo
3/11/1947 - 6/17/2016

Olivea Clarice Suazo died peacefully, with her devoted husband by her side, at the Revered Texan Hearth and Home Assisted Living Facility, in Lake Jackson, TX, the morning of June 17, from a long struggle with frontal temporal lobe dementia. Olivea was born on March 11, 1947, at the All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth, TX, the eldest child to parents Oliver and Vivian Shook. Olivea was a graduate of Pasadena High School, in Pasadena, TX. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Tennessee Temple University, in Chattanooga, TN. She earned her Master's Degree in Education from the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, FL, where she taught for several years, before moving to West Columbia, TX. She was an Assistant Principal in the West Columbia Independent School District. She then moved to Lake Jackson, TX, where she had the privilege of serving as an administrator, in numerous schools, in the Brazosport Independent School District. Though she had many rewarding assignments, one of the most fulfilling was being named as the first principal, of the newly built Ninth Grade Center, at Brazoswood High School. Olivea loved her job as an educator and she genuinely cared for each and every teacher and student. After retiring from BISD, Olivea moved to Colorado with her husband, to be closer to his aging parents. While in Colorado, she and Ed became very active in the area mountain church. Olivea played the piano and used her beautiful voice to sing many solos during church services. Olivea loved knitting and would often watch TV and knit. Giving her knitted scarves away to friends and family, for birthdays or Christmas was special to her. She also loved reading. Once she started reading a book, she would not put it down until she had finished it. Sadly, her illness took these skills, as well as her beautiful voice, from her. After the passing of Ed's parents, they returned to Lake Jackson in 2005, to be closer to children and grandchildren. Olivea loved her children and grandchildren! She never forgot a birthday, anniversary or holiday. She took great pleasure in selecting the perfect cards, for each person and occasion. Olivea enjoyed watching her grandchildren in every possible extracurricular event. Whether it was a sporting event, a choir concert, or an awards ceremony, she was there to show how proud she was of their achievement and give her support. Olivea loved traveling and especially enjoyed going on cruises. She was able to take her 12th and final cruise, three years before her illness set in. She had the opportunity to live in both Spain and Argentina, with her husband, who worked for Dow and was sent on foreign assignments. Olivea loved the ex-pat life, enjoying each country to the fullest and all of the ex-pat friends she made along the way. Traveling with her dinner group, and visiting wine regions, in both the U.S. and Countries around the world, was special to her as well. Olivea was a collector of many things. She was most proud of her collection of approximately 300 nativity scenes. She took pride in displaying each set, every Christmas season, along with her Christmas tree that was decorated with hundreds of ornaments; each had a special meaning to her. Her other collections included art, crosses, ruby red glassware, Lladro Spanish figurines, beanie babies and stuffed teddy bears. A grandson once commented, "If Nana had a dollar for every teddy bear she had, she would probably have a million dollars." which about sums it up. Olivea loved entertaining, almost as much as she loved her bears. She was always hosting dinner or birthday parties for family and friends. Her door was always open to guests, no matter where she lived. Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 35 years, Julian Ed Suazo, of Lake Jackson; son and daughter-in-law, Daryl and Jennifer Reinhardt, of Lake Jackson; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Stacey Suazo, of Lake Jackson; son and daughter-in-law, Matt Suazo and Rakia Faber, of Berkeley, CA. Grandchildren Jake, Tyler and Nicholas Reinhardt, of Lake Jackson; Claudia and Isabella Suazo, of Lake Jackson; Elena Suazo Faber, of Berkeley, CA. Sister and brother-in-law, Susan Shook Siler and Ron Siler, of Lake Jackson; children Josh, Matt and Nathan Siler. Brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Linda Shook, of Lake Jackson; their son Wesley and wife Abigail, and family. Brother and sister-in-law, David and Cindy Shook; children Kristen, Heather and Steven. She is preceded in death by her father Oliver Shook, mother Vivian Gaffney, and stepfather JB Gaffney. The Family would like to give special thanks to the Revered Texan Assisted Living Facility, in Lake Jackson, who gave Olivea the best of care during her stay. We also want to thank Helping Hands & Heart Hospice, for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, on behalf of Olivea, to: SPCA of Brazoria County, 141 Canna Lane, Lake Jackson, TX, https://spcabc.wordpress.com/ or Helping Hands & Heart Hospice, 103 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX, http://www.brazoriacountyhospice.org/

 

 

Obituary Provided By:

Freeport-Lakewood Funeral Homes

www.lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
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