Suzanne Lee Diers Blouin

       BORN:  July 22, 1945

         DIED:  March 14, 2016

LOCATION:  Naples, Florida

Suzanne Diers Blouin, age 70, passed away on March 14, 2016 in Naples, Florida, succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. Suzanne was born in Des Moines, Iowa on July 22, 1945 to John and Helen Diers. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1963 and from Clarke University in Dubuque in 1967 with degrees in math and computer science. She served 25 years on the Clarke Board of Trustees, and received a Presidential Award for her service. Suzanne married Mike Blouin in 1967 and the two made their home in Dubuque, where Suzanne taught at Hempstead High School until the birth of the couple’s twin daughters in 1969. 

Suzanne served as a Legislative Assistant in Mike’s state legislative office, and would go on to assist him in his campaigns for Congress. In 1980 Suzanne was charged with helping to organize the new U.S. Department of Education, and was recognized for her substantial contribution to the improvement of education in the United States. After moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1981, Suzanne worked as the Business Manager of the Hawkeye Area Community Action Agency for 16 years. While in Cedar Rapids, she was also very engaged at All Saints Catholic Parish, and coordinated the Baptism and RCIA programs. She was committed to social justice throughout her life. Suzanne loved learning, and took graduate courses at Loras College toward a Masters in Theology. Suzanne then spent 7 years with the Governor’s office, serving the last four as the Director of Appointments to Boards and Commissions.

In 2007, Suzanne and Mike returned to Dubuque where she became the Parish Administrator of St. Mary’s & St. Patrick’s Catholic Churches, until her illness began to interfere with her memory. In 2011Suzanne and Mike retired to Naples, Florida. For the last 3 years of her life she was cared for and resided at Arden Court Assisted Living facility for memory impaired in Naples, Florida. Her family is very grateful for their loving and caring service. The family is also grateful for the loving care and service of AVOW Hospice over the last several months of her life.

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Mike; her daughters & their husbands, Lisa &Rick Sanborn, and Amy Blouin & Joe Squillace; her grandchildren, Noah Blouin-Weers, Christian Blouin-Weers and his partner, Sydney Probst; and her great-grandson, Matthew Blouin-Weers. She also leaves her loving siblings, Sonna & Bill Struyf, Alan & Joyce Diers, Jackie & Raleigh Kean, Judi & Art Kelly, and Patricia & Jim Carlucci. She loved her many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and was a dear friend to many.

The Celebration of Life will be at the Church of the Resurrection Catholic Parish in Dubuque, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2nd. Visitation will also be held at the Church on Friday, April 1st, from 2-7 p.m., with the Wake Service at 7 p.m. A visitation will also be held from 9-10:15 a.m., Saturday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations in Suzanne’s name to Clarke University, 1550 Clarke Dr., Dubuque, IA 52001; the Alzheimer’s Support Network, 660 9th Street North, Naples, FL 34102 and AVOW Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples, FL 34105.

The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road is assisting the family.