Ministry was among the many loves of Servite Sister M. Suzanne Vandenheede

Sister M. Suzanne Vandenheede of the Servants of Mary had many loves, a longtime friend said.

Sister Suzanne loved her family, her religious community, the educational opportunities she received – and her ministry as an educator, motherhouse coordinator, chaplain, healing touch practitioner, community minister and volunteer, according to her friend, Sister Nancy Marsh, who’s also a Servant of Mary.

Sister Suzanne also was known to love a good party, Sister Nancy said.

Sister Suzanne died Feb. 14 at Newport House at Immanuel Village in Omaha. She was 92.

Funeral services were held Feb. 21 and Feb. 23 at the Servants of Mary Chapel in Omaha.

Sister Suzanne taught in Omaha at Holy Name School from 1952-54, Christ the King School from 1954-68 and Marian High School from 1968-69.

She continued working as an educator in Iowa and New York before returning to Omaha to serve as principal at St. James/Seton School from 1981-87.

Sister Suzanne became Motherhouse coordinator for her Omaha community before becoming a chaplain at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha from 1994 to 2010.

She was born in Detroit in 1930 to Remi and Emma (Boone) Vandenheede and was a middle child among their seven children.

Sister Suzanne entered the Servants of Mary in 1950, made her first profession of vows in 1952 and her final vows in 1957.

In 1964, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from the former Duchesne College in Omaha. She later earned a master’s degree in education from Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan.

Sister Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Richard, Arthur, Henry and Thomas; and sister Jeanne Suminski.

Survivors include her sister Elaine Maes, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her Servite community.

Memorials were directed to the Servants of Mary.