Suzanne's obituary

Suzanne's obituary has been published in the San Antonio Express News today and can be viewed online by clicking here: Suzanne's obituary.

Because Suzanne's obituary can only be viewed online until May 27, 2010, I am posting the text of the obituary below so that we will always have it....

KUYKENDALL


Suzanne Marie Kuykendall was born on June 1, 1954 in San Antonio, Texas and was called home to be with the Lord on April 24, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. While her life with us seems all too short, Suzanne's legacy is profound and will live on in our hearts forever. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend, she had a tender heart and a gracious spirit. Suzanne dedicated a career to health care for over 30 years and led a life enlightened by her gift for writing, love for the outdoors, reading and giving back to those in need. Suzanne was preceded in death by her father, Gerald L. Kuykendall. She is survived by her mother Blanche M. Kuykendall, husband Ray Rodriguez, daughter Lauren M. Lara and husband Cristobal A. Lara, son Christopher M. Guerra, daughters Rebecca Anne Rodriguez and Ashley Marie Rodriguez, stepdaughter Amanda Jane Rodriguez, grandchildren Chloe Meagan Guerra and Benjamin and Madeline Cate Lara, sisters Priscilla Grota (Jim), Sylvia Middleton (Jeff), brothers Gerald Kuykendall, Jr. (Patti), Michael Kuykendall (Connie), Gerard Kuykendall, Jeffrey Kuykendall (Amanda), Andrew Kuykendall, father-in-law Robert Rodriguez, mother-in-law Olga Martinez (Danny), sister-in-law Rebecca Rodriguez, sister-in-law Rose Ann Faubush (John) and beloved friend Norma Gomez (Julian). A mass and memorial service for Suzanne will be held Thursday, April 29, 2010, 10:30 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Suzanne Kuykendall to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (www.ocrf.org).

Published in Express-News on April 27, 2010

And here are the comments that have been made in the online guestbook honoring Suzanne:

_______________________________
May 3, 2010


Sylvia & Priscilla,
I am saddened & so very sorry to hear of Susie's passing. She was so sweet & patient. I know that y'all will miss her very much. Y'all will be in my prayers.

Billy Gibson
______________________________
April 29, 2010

My deepest sympathy to Suzanne's family. I was shocked to learn of her passing. I worked with Suzanne many years ago. We worked for Dr. Ed Liske. I was only a part time employee, but we became very friendly. She was always talking about her children and what great kids they were. Go forward in your lives and keep your mothers wonderful spirit alive. God Bless you.

~ Bobbie, San Antonio, Texas
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April 29, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

~ Yolanda Kent Blackwell, New Orleans, Louisiana
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April 28, 2010

Lauren,Chris,Rebecca and Ashley

Our deepest Sympathy for your entire family. May the peace of the lord be with you all. Know that our prayers are with you now and always.

~ Fred & Irma Guerra
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April 28, 2010
I am so very saddened by the news of Suzanne's passing. I worked with your mom at the surgery center. I wasn't there all the time so when I came in I always looked forward to friendly banter with Suzanne. No one would dare try to pull a fast one with Suzanne on the job. I loved her spirit and her acceptance of the people in her life. I am so blessed for having known your mom. I will miss her terribly when I go back to the center for a visit; it just won't be the same without her. Thank you for sharing your mom with us.

~ Kathleen Kredell, San Antonio
______________________________________
April 28, 2010

Sweet friend Lauren,

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

~ Blake & Christine Wright, San Antonio, Texas
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April 28, 2010

My Dearest, Beautiful Sister, There are no words to describe my broken spirit with the passing of you passionate soul. Our lives will never be the same. It is a part of our journey in life which I never wanted to experience. All your brothers and sisters were truly blessed to have you in our lives. We were bonded by blood, but it is in our love for each other that keeps us together forever in our hearts. You are such an inspiration, with your strength,love, laughter, generosity,compassion, I really could go on forever. Although your life here on earth was all too brief, you sister, managed to make it a great one. It really shows in your wonderful family you created, Ray, Lauren, Chris, Rebecca and Ashley. You have done a tremendous job and have touch many souls in your journey here . I have sooo many wonderful memories of you and my memory is very, very long. Susie, you fought a courageous battle and I prayed & prayed that God would allow you to remain in our lives a little longer. But I guess He saw that you were tired and He needed you in heaven with Him. So with that, I can allow you to go and know that you are at peace and happy, and that I have my little Sister Angel in heaven to watch over all of us. I will Love you Forever,

Sylvia

~ Sylvia Middleton, San Antonio, Texas
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April 28, 2010

We are very sorry for your loss of Suzanne and her beautiful smile. May you take comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering. We shall keep her and your family in our prayers.

~ Ginny & Bob Cohen, San Antonio, Texas
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April 27, 2010

Ray, Rebecca. Amanda, Ashley, and family members, our prayers are with you. Suzanne was such a kind-spirited and wonderful person who was full of life and love. I have not seen her for several years since our girls (Rebecca and Ashley) played ball together at Blessed Sacrament CYO games, but I have always cherished the friendship and encouragement she gave me. I will truly miss her.
(Rachel, Rey, Magenta & Waverly Reyes)

________________________________
April 27, 2010


Ray, Blanche, Lauren, Christopher, Rebecca, Ashley, Amanda, and family of Suzanne; my deepest sympathy for each and everyone of you. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Suze fought long and hard! She was truly a sweet person and loved so much. She will be deeply missed on this earth. I know GOD was waiting to welcome her home with open arms . We were all blessed to have her in our lives! I pray that each of you find the strength to go forward. Much Love Charlene (Ezzell) Ewing.

~ Charlene Ewing, San Antonio, Texas
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April 27, 2010

Although I've only known Suzanne for about a year and a half,that was enough for me to have known what a wonderful, sweet, full of life and caring person she was. Suzanne definitely brought so many gifts to everyone's life. I will never forget her! My heart goes out to you and your family in your time of sorrow! Lorna~ (former co-worker @ Pasteur Plaza Medical Cntr- Recovery Room Nurse)

~ Lorna Herrera-Ignacio, San Antonio, Texas
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April 27, 2010

My Dearest Aunt Blanche and cousins, I am sorry for the loss of your loving daughter, sister, mother and wife Suzie. We all will miss her very much, Mom, Dad, John B. and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May God's strength and love be with you all forever. Love Kayla

~ Kayla Handrick, Pasadena, Texas
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April 27, 2010

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.

~ Mrs. Martinez/Eisenhower Middle School, san antonio, Texas
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April 27, 2010

Blanche and family

I'm so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during your time of sorrow.

~ Deb Kainer, San Antonio, Texas
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April 27, 2010


Words can never express my sincere sympathy to the family for their loss.

I consider myself Blessed to have been a part of Suzie life's journey. We have shared triumphs and sorrows for over 30 years! Memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. ..

...I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7

Rest in Peace My Friend!!

Blessings~

~ Vanessa Kent, San Antonio, Texas
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April 27, 2010

Lauren,Chris and family,my heart is feeling your pain...I wish I could find words to say to you to relief the pain you are feeling, but I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and extend my deepest sympathy to your entire family.
Con Mucho Cariño,
Mary Helen, Tom and Family
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April 27, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of greif. May God bless your family.

Love Your Cousin,

Gery, Mary Gill and Family
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April 27, 2010

I'm so sorry for your loss. I will never forget her kind smile, calm demeanor and warm personality. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

~ Leana Divine, Seoul
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April 27, 2010


Jeff and Amanda, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your sister. You are all in my prayers

~ Patricia Campa, San Antonio, Texas

Mass and Memorial Service for Suzanne

A mass and memorial service will be held for my beloved mother Suzanne Kuykendall this Thursday, April 29, 2010, 10:30am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Holy Spirit is located at 758 West Ramsey, San Antonio, TX 78216. The entrance to the church faces Blanco Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations in her name be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Thank you.

Psalm 4:4 Know that the Lord works wonders for the faithful; the Lord hears when I call out.

Psalm 4:4 Know that the Lord works wonders for the faithful; the Lord hears when I call out.

With deepest sadness, I write to tell you all that my beautiful mother Suzanne was called home to be with the good Lord yesterday afternoon.

We are so thankful for the prayers you offered up to our dear God for Suzanne. We begged for peace and the good Lord responded.

In the coming days I graciously ask that you continue praying for my family and especially - my grandmother Blanche, my mom's husband Ray, my sisters Rebecca and Ashley and my brother Christopher. While we are comforted in knowing she no longer suffers, our hearts ache with this tremendous loss.

Tomorrow I will have the confirmed date and time information about her service taking place later this week at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

With love and gratitude,
Lauren

Romans 8:18 - I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 - I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed to us.

This particular verse is so powerful and given our current situation, I felt like I needed to share.

I know weeks and weeks go by and many of you wait for an update, but sadly, sometimes it's just so hard to communicate what's happening. The disease process is taking its toll and slowly all of the small activities that used to come so naturally to mom are becoming more difficult for her each day.

Fortunately, Suzanne's pain has been pretty well managed with morphine and methodone over the last few weeks. In the last couple of days though, eating has become perhaps the biggest chore. She has extreme sensitivity in her mouth which makes it hard to eat almost anything and there tends to be a tremendous amount of discomfort associated with digestion. The lack of nutrition has essentially meant diminished energy and the loss of much weight.

All things considered, we're doing what we can to keep her comfortable and smiling. So speaking of smiling, here are few smile-worthy moments:

A recent highlight was Becky's Prom. Mom beamed as she saw her beautiful daughter all dressed up and ready for her night out...

I was the chauffeur for the evening and sister Ashley was my co-pilot..

 

Another highlight - Ashley received an honorable mention at the State level for the Reflections contest. This year's theme was "Beauty is" and Ashley's entry was an essay about our beautiful mother. It's worth noting that only 800 out of 107,000 entries received an award and Ashley was one of them. Way to go sister! Unfortunately though, Ashley did not save a copy so none of us have actually read the essay. Thanks Ashley! :) I'm sure it was amazing and we're still working on getting a copy.

Another highlight - Those sweet people at mom's work sent over an ENORMOUS card reading "We Love You Suzanne" and included lots of sweet thoughts for her. She loved it and her spirits were definitely lifted. She's very well aware that Pasteur Plaza Surgery Center is NOT the same without her and that it must be awfully quiet without hearing her opinion on a daily basis. :) (Don't worry, she's still happy to offer her opinion at home though.)

As the days move forward, I can't promise to write with consistency, but I will certainly try.

We need your continued prayers that the good Lord eases Suzanne's pain and suffering and brings her peace.

I also request continued prayers for my family -- that we may continue to stay strong and allow God's grace to get us through each day.

Romans (8:24-25) For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.