Suzie J. Padjen

Our beloved wife, mother, sister and daughter, Suzie Padjen, passed away peacefully at home September 8, 2011 surrounded by her family, following a valiant 8-year battle with breast cancer.
Suzie was truly a special person who touched the life of everyone she met. Her selflessness was absolutely unparalleled and the love, dignity and care Suzie expressed every day was undeniably an inspiration to us all.
Suzie was born December 7, 1959 to Kay A. Reid and Colleen Janney Reid. She graduated from Judge Memorial High School and immediately began her journey of impacting and influencing the lives of everyone she met.
Suzie married the love of her life, Mark Padjen, and together they raised two wonderful children, Lindsey and Thomas. As her family grew, so did Suzie's involvement with St. Francis Xavier School and Parish. Suzie served in many capacities at St. Francis and was working as a teacher's aide when cancer forced her away from this loving community.
Suzie was always involved in many causes and constantly on the go, helping others and making sure her children participated in every activity their hearts desired. Suzie was involved in every part of her family's life and was an amazing mother and friend. Her family was the most important aspect of her life. We are all truly blessed and will remember every day, her unconditional love, eternal optimism and the gift of her influence. Suzie loved to travel, especially to the family cabin at Bear Lake, Hawaii and New York. Suzie enjoyed many hobbies, especially crafts and decorating. Her ability to make the simplest things beautiful was a true talent. One of the crafts that she will be remembered for was making sure all the senior girls of the soccer and basketball teams at Juan Diego High School each received a teddy bear made with all the affection Suzie could express. Suzie was an avid Ute Fan, especially enjoying all of her time with her "tailgate family" at the many football games she attended.
Suzie is survived by her husband Mark, her children Lindsey and Thomas, her sisters: Margaret Erspamer, Sheila Hrdlicka, Mary Garrett and Julie Scott; her brothers: Bert (Janice) Reid and John (Amber) Reid, and all her many nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by her parents and her brother in laws: Paul, Dave and Jeff.
The family would like to thank the many people who touched our lives through Suzie's long and courageous struggle with breast cancer, including all of our friends and family at St. Francis and Juan Diego, Dr. Harker, Rick and the entire staff at Utah Cancer for all their care, love and support these many years. The family wishes to especially thank Mark's parents, George and Carol Padjen, Suzie's sisters and brothers, as well as our hospice nurse and angel, Jules, for all the loving care and attention she gave to Suzie and our family.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1085 E. 7th S., with a visitation one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. A visitation will also be held Monday, September 12th, 5-7 p.m. at the church, followed by a Vigil/Rosary Service at 7 p.m. Graveside services will be at the West Jordan City Cemetery, 7800 S. 1300 W. following Mass. Funeral Directors, Serenicare.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please send donations to Utah Cancer Foundation, 1121 East 3900 South, Suite C230, SLC, Utah 84124.