Suzanne (Parr) Happel, 93, loving wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend to all, and champion of many many causes...passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 22nd in Winfield, Illinois. She was born July 18th, 1928 in Chicago, grew up in Glen Ellyn and lived most of her life in Wheaton. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and forwent taking vows as a nun to marry her adoring husband, John R. Happel, who preceded her in death by 22 years. And to go on to have 8 children, 41 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and counting... Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, god-children, nieces, nephews, neighbor children, stranger’s children, they all flocked to her, made a beeline when they saw her, or knew where to find her. She made each person feel like they were special, worthy, and loved. Suzanne was a social worker before becoming a mother, but it was a calling that never left her. She collected people in need, people of any race, any social status, people who had mental or emotional disabilities, she loved them all. She gave them financial help, emotional support and sometimes even housed them. She placed many children, helped refugees, and sponsored four children through Compassion International. She volunteered during the founding years of Kline Creek Farm. She was a naturalist, showing people plants they could eat from their own backyard. Snapping off a leaf to chew or to rub on her skin. She knew all the birds and their songs. She stood among a group of protestors, blocking the way of bulldozers about to take down an Oak forest to put in a parking lot. She loved both camping, and a good walk in the woods; she loved nature. Suzanne was a member of the Catholic Daughters, St. Michael’s CCW, and many pro-life organizations, as well as a supporter of American Indian/First Nation Peoples, and National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. She wrote letters to prisoners for many years, and actively opposed the death penalty. She was a firm believer in the sanctity of life and unapologetically pro-life. It seems fitting that she passed away on January 22nd, because she was a champion of the unborn. She participated in the very first pro-life march in downtown Chicago in 1973. She helped start the Human Relations commission in Wheaton, to bring together people of different races, backgrounds, socioeconomic status and faith. She wrote wonderful stories, anecdotes, and one-liners. Her phone texts are a treasure worth publication. She drew cartoons and could express a hilarious emotion with just a few strokes of a pencil. She was one of the original health food nuts; she shopped at the health food store when it was only as big as a closet. She took vitamins before anyone knew where to buy them. And her kids were the only ones at school who had sandwiches made with brown bread. Suzanne was the beloved wife of the late John R. Happel, and loving mother of Terese (Steve) Irwin, Jeanne (Thomas) McMahon, Edward Happel, John (Dr Mary Ellyn Bratu) Happel, Dianne (Thomas) DiFrisco, Susan (Robert) Pfundstein, Bernie (Rowan) Happel and Jerry (Luz) Happel. She was the proud grandmother of 41: Jessica (Patrick) Jodi (Brian) Krystie (Gary) Steven (Laura) Liz (Sam) Sam (Taylor) Corinne (Chris) Jonathan (Kelly) Caitlin, Ryan, Allison, John (Lynne) Katie (Dan) Mary (Pete) Anna, Michael, Teresa, Joey (Abby) Nick, Patrick, Marty, Susanna, Julia, Kevin, Brian, Jason (June), Timothy, Melissa, Emily (Dave), Daniel (Betty), James, Peter (Jenna), Zachary (Bailey) Micah, Veronica, Benjamin, Theodore (Anna) Solomon, Rosemarie, Sebastian, and Jackson. And great-grandmother of 38: Patrick, Liam, Sean, Finn, Sierra, Luka, Kylie, Travis, Connor, Logan, Cameron, Aubrey, Sloan, Paige, Lucas, Wesley, Dylan, Emmett, Tommy, Patrick, MaeMae, Liam, Claire, Charlotte, Olivia, Henry, Jaden, Jacob, Valis, Vincent, Dean, Barrett, Gwen, Charlotte, Linus, Reagan, Calvin, and Cyprian. Presently adding up to 110 in all. She was a loving daughter of the late A.H. and Virginia Parr; dear sister of the late Dolores and Marjorie, and fond double-cousin of many. Visitation will be held on Wednesday January 26th from 3-8 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, And Funeral service with mass on January 27th at 10 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 315 W. Illinois St., Wheaton. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Waterleaf Woman’s Center 3055 E. New York St, Aurora IL 60504. Waterleafwc.org, or the charity of your choice.