Emma Suzanne Gerard

Emma Suzanne Gerard, known to most as Suzy and occasionally as E. Suzanne, died Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the age of 90.

Born Emma Suzanne Sittig in Chicago, Suzy was a woman of many talents, strong opinions, an unconventional sense of humor, and a heart considerably softer than her occasionally prickly exterior might have suggested.

A registered nurse by training, Suzy devoted much of her life to being a homemaker and raising her two children, Julia and Matt. Her family always came first, and when college expenses came along, she didn't hesitate to return to nursing to help make ends meet. She was fiercely devoted to her children and later her grandchildren, even if she had her own very definite ideas about how things ought to be done.

A talented and prolific seamstress, Suzy was known to many as the “Costume Lady” for her work creating costumes for the Olde English Faire and harvest festivals at Jubilee College. Her sewing talents, creativity, and ingenuity helped bring countless characters and celebrations to life. She was also actively involved with Citizens to Preserve Jubilee College and the restoration of the historic landmark, combining her love of history with her considerable practical skills.

Suzy loved gardening, herbs, and the natural world. A member of the Herb Guild in her younger years, she enjoyed mushroom hunting in Springdale Cemetery and the beauty of Luthy Botanical Garden, across from the family's former home.

She was also a collector of just about everything. Some might have called it too much; Suzy would probably have disagreed. Her collections extended well beyond material possessions to include a remarkable assortment of strays, both human and animal. She had a particular soft spot for those who needed help, and her generosity was rarely limited to kind words. She was the sort of person who would stop to help a stranger experiencing homelessness and then spend an afternoon making sure they had the supplies and care they needed.

Intelligent, fiercely independent, and stubborn to a fault, Suzy was rarely wrong (just ask her), seldom on time, never short of an opinion, and possessed absolutely no filter. She had little patience for foolishness, a mischievous appreciation for stirring things up—particularly on Facebook—and an uncanny ability to say exactly what everyone else was thinking but knew better than to say aloud. Yet beneath that prickly exterior was a woman of extraordinary generosity, who showed her love through actions rather than grand declarations.

Suzy was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Gerard, in 2009, and her brothers, Robert and Theodore Sittig. She is survived by her children, Julia Stone and Matt Gerard; her grandchildren, Ash Stone, Anna Gerard, and Nadia Gerard; and her sister, Char Mindick of Downers Grove, Illinois.

She leaves behind a lifetime of lovingly made costumes, collected treasures, rescued creatures, strong opinions, and people whose lives were better because she took the time to care.

Even her farewell was unmistakably Suzy. As she entered hospice, she announced:  “I'll see you on the other side. I'm out.” And really, who was going to argue with her?

A Celebration of Suzy's Life

Saturday, November 21, 2026 — What Would Have Been Her 91st Birthday 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM. Lunch will be served around noon. Oliver's in the Heights, 1231 E. Samuel Avenue Peoria Heights, IL 61616. 

Family and friends are invited to join us for lunch, laughter, stories, and a celebration of Suzy's wonderfully unconventional life.

In honor of her legendary gift-giving skills, we'll also have a Suzy-Style White Elephant Gift Exchange! If you still have something Suzy gave you, this is your chance to pass it along—bonus points if it came with a story! Otherwise, bring something gently used, vaguely appropriate, oddly specific, or wonderfully peculiar. Regifting is not just allowed, it's practically required. And if you must buy something, it must be secondhand. The more questionable the gift, the more Suzy would have approved.

Think less perfect gift and more “I saw this and thought of you. Sort of.”

Participation is optional, but stories and laughter are strongly encouraged.

For celebration details and to RSVP, please visit https://evite.me/8zPZC3FTjQ. RSVPs are appreciated to help us plan for lunch, but everyone who knew and loved Suzy is welcome.

Suzy herself would almost certainly have forgotten to RSVP and arrived late, so we won't hold it against you if you do the same.