Suzanne “Suzi” Stahl Fogarty, age 73, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, surrounded by friends and family in Denver, Colo. This world lost a light and a whole lot of laughter with Suzi’s passing. She is already so dearly missed. She suffered a very short bout of acute cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome. We suspect that the ills of this world became too much for her heart to bear. She loved us all so deeply, so passionately, and she transitioned from her earthly journey with the same intensity. Her beloved Samoyed pup, Gracie, succumbed to pain of losing her human the very next day.
Suzi was born on Sept. 20, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri to Edward and Virginia (Stoneking) Stahl. She has one younger brother, Bruce. She graduated from Southwest High School in 1966 and earned an associate degree before beginning her career in the medical field.
Suzi was married to Thomas Fogarty for 32 years, until his death in 2008. They met in Kansas City, and over the years they lived in many cities including Omaha, Washington D.C., Lincoln, Neb. and Des Moines, Ia. After Tom’s death, Suzi moved to Denver to be close to their children, Dean, Stephen and Margaret. During her years in Denver, Suzi welcomed five more grandchildren, Joaquin (11), Caitlin (8), Melia (7), Colin (6) and Cameron (3), in addition to her older grands, Alec (31), Nygel (29) and Mickella (28).
Suzi adored her family and friends, always making new friends wherever she went. As one of her friends recalled, Suzi was a woman of boundless joy, enthusiasm, empathy, and wit. She was a collector and curator of art and antiques, a music lover, a wonderful cook, the host with the most, a pillar of her community, and an epic storyteller. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, neighbor and friend to the end.
Her career spanned many industries, interests, and skills. She was a medical assistant, a caterer, a paralegal, a business owner and medical records expert, a recruiter, a Chico’s associate, and most recently, a feature writer for several local magazines.
She was the keeper and creator of many family traditions, particularly around the holidays. Whether it was baking pies for Thanksgiving, her famous secret family German Hearts cookie recipe or gifting Christmas ornaments to the kids and grandkids, we have shared lots of wonderful memories, and have many traditions that will carry on in her memory.
Suzi is survived by her brother Bruce; her children Dean (Bethany), Stephen (Elizabeth) and Margaret (Mariano); her grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and Fogarty family in-laws and outlaws. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Tom, and both of her parents.
Suzi’s funeral mass will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church at Creighton University (2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178) on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m., followed by her burial at Calvary Cemetery (7710 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124), where she will be reunited with her beloved husband to rest in eternal peace.
We will celebrate Suzi’s life at a Memorial Service at the Eisenhower Chapel (293 Roslyn St, Denver, CO 80230) on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Suzi was a wonder whose zest for life was unmatched. Thanks to everyone for their support of the family as we grieve the sudden loss of Suzi.
Services
FUNERAL MASS
Saturday
September 3, 2022
10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
St. John’s Catholic Church at Creighton University Plaza
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
Suzi lived around the corner from me, but I only met her at Bingham in 7th grade. We shared a birthday (Sept. 20) and had a 13th birthday hayride party (Scott Simon was my date!). Our paths crossed again 20 years ago when we bumped into each other on Pearl Street in Boulder where I lived and she was visiting. Since that time we have called each other on our special day. I even stayed with her when I was in DC and we went to dinner in Denver when she came to visit her kids. Three weeks after that visit, her husband died. Shortly after, she decided to move to Denver "so we could be neighbors again". Unfortunately, at that time my husband was diagnosed with cancer and we had decided to move to Iowa. So, I visited her every time I returned to Denver. This year, I called her on our birthday and left a message. I was surprised that she didn't return my call. Saturday I was in KC for a family celebration and I drove to her house and took a picture and sent it to her via Facebook. Again, I was surprised I didn't hear from her. Today at the airport on my way back to Cleveland, I thought I should check the obituarites, just in case. At that very moment I received the notice from "Classmates" that she died in August. The mystery was solved, but I ended up in tears. I will call her in my own way on each future Sept. 20 birthday. My memories of her are a blessing.
Oh no.....not Suzi! What a shock to read of her passing. I met Suzi at Hale Cook grade school, so our friendship was a long one. We recently reconnected on FB. When I turned 16 and had a car, I would pick her up on the corner of Edgevale Road and her street (70th St or Terr???) for the ride to Southwest. But my fondest memory of Suzi is going to the Beatles concert at old Municipal Stadium together. We stood on our chairs together and yelled with all of our hearts at those 4 boys from England. I think the tickets cost about $6! What fun! I always thought Suzi was a riot. She had such an interesting take on the world. Rest In Peace, old friend.
Maxine Cooper (Brand)
Suzi lived around the corner from me, but I only met her at Bingham in 7th grade. We shared a birthday (Sept. 20) and had a 13th birthday hayride party (Scott Simon was my date!). Our paths crossed again 20 years ago when we bumped into each other on Pearl Street in Boulder where I lived and she was visiting. Since that time we have called each other on our special day. I even stayed with her when I was in DC and we went to dinner in Denver when she came to visit her kids. Three weeks after that visit, her husband died. Shortly after, she decided to move to Denver "so we could be neighbors again". Unfortunately, at that time my husband was diagnosed with cancer and we had decided to move to Iowa. So, I visited her every time I returned to Denver. This year, I called her on our birthday and left a message. I was surprised that she didn't return my call. Saturday I was in KC for a family celebration and I drove to her house and took a picture and sent it to her via Facebook. Again, I was surprised I didn't hear from her. Today at the airport on my way back to Cleveland, I thought I should check the obituarites, just in case. At that very moment I received the notice from "Classmates" that she died in August. The mystery was solved, but I ended up in tears. I will call her in my own way on each future Sept. 20 birthday. My memories of her are a blessing.
Meredith Vincent (Porter)
Oh no.....not Suzi! What a shock to read of her passing. I met Suzi at Hale Cook grade school, so our friendship was a long one. We recently reconnected on FB. When I turned 16 and had a car, I would pick her up on the corner of Edgevale Road and her street (70th St or Terr???) for the ride to Southwest. But my fondest memory of Suzi is going to the Beatles concert at old Municipal Stadium together. We stood on our chairs together and yelled with all of our hearts at those 4 boys from England. I think the tickets cost about $6! What fun! I always thought Suzi was a riot. She had such an interesting take on the world. Rest In Peace, old friend.