Obituary for Suzanne Beth Kavgian
On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Suzanne Beth (Coats) Kavgian, devoted wife and mother, went to her eternal home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 83.
Suzanne was born on October 14, 1939 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Edward R. and Vera E. (Swanlund) Coats. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Taylor University in 1962, and a master’s of science degree in librarianship from Western Michigan University in 1968. She married Robert (Bob) S. Kavgian on August 15, 1964 and together they raised a daughter, Jennifer and son, Matthew.
Suzanne began her career in education in Arizona, first at Tempe Union High School and later teaching Navajo Nation students at Ganado Junior High School. She went on to serve as a teacher and librarian in public and private Christian schools in Michigan, Florida, Minnesota and Indiana. Suzanne served as director of children’s services at the East Chicago Public Library in East Chicago, Indiana for thirteen years. In addition, she provided library services to the East Chicago Public Schools and East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy where she instilled a love of reading in countless elementary students over many years. Several years into retirement, Suzanne and her husband moved to Bloomington, Indiana to be near their son and his family.
Suzanne held an unwavering Christian faith and lived her life in service of others. She was known for her devotion to her immediate and extended family, friends and church. She was a consummate hostess, planner, pie baker, and traveler. The daughter of immigrants, she was proud of her Swedish and British heritage. Suzanne was also known for her astonishing memory, able to recall even the smallest details from her experiences going back to early childhood.
Suzanne was an avid reader who often completed books in a single sitting. She loved historical fiction, biographies and classic children’s literature. She doted on her grandchildren, Zoe (22) and Rowan (14) Marsh and Grace (14) and Vera (13) Kavgian and was ever present in their lives, often traveling great distances to be part of their milestones and activities. She was never happier than when her family was gathered for a holiday or birthday celebration.
Suzanne is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bob, her two children, Jennifer (Marsh) and Matt Kavgian and their spouses Kyle J. Marsh and Coleman Kavgian, four grandchildren, brothers Daniel R. and Peter E. Coats, and their spouses Marsha and Betsy Coats, and many cousins, nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.
Suzanne was interred at Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington, Indiana at noon on Friday, March 24, 2023. A service to celebrate her life will be held at Christ Community Church in Bloomington, Indiana on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET. An afternoon tea in Suzanne’s honor will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Flowers and donations may be sent to Christ Community Church, 503 S. High St., Bloomington, IN 47401.
Suzanne was born on October 14, 1939 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Edward R. and Vera E. (Swanlund) Coats. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Taylor University in 1962, and a master’s of science degree in librarianship from Western Michigan University in 1968. She married Robert (Bob) S. Kavgian on August 15, 1964 and together they raised a daughter, Jennifer and son, Matthew.
Suzanne began her career in education in Arizona, first at Tempe Union High School and later teaching Navajo Nation students at Ganado Junior High School. She went on to serve as a teacher and librarian in public and private Christian schools in Michigan, Florida, Minnesota and Indiana. Suzanne served as director of children’s services at the East Chicago Public Library in East Chicago, Indiana for thirteen years. In addition, she provided library services to the East Chicago Public Schools and East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy where she instilled a love of reading in countless elementary students over many years. Several years into retirement, Suzanne and her husband moved to Bloomington, Indiana to be near their son and his family.
Suzanne held an unwavering Christian faith and lived her life in service of others. She was known for her devotion to her immediate and extended family, friends and church. She was a consummate hostess, planner, pie baker, and traveler. The daughter of immigrants, she was proud of her Swedish and British heritage. Suzanne was also known for her astonishing memory, able to recall even the smallest details from her experiences going back to early childhood.
Suzanne was an avid reader who often completed books in a single sitting. She loved historical fiction, biographies and classic children’s literature. She doted on her grandchildren, Zoe (22) and Rowan (14) Marsh and Grace (14) and Vera (13) Kavgian and was ever present in their lives, often traveling great distances to be part of their milestones and activities. She was never happier than when her family was gathered for a holiday or birthday celebration.
Suzanne is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bob, her two children, Jennifer (Marsh) and Matt Kavgian and their spouses Kyle J. Marsh and Coleman Kavgian, four grandchildren, brothers Daniel R. and Peter E. Coats, and their spouses Marsha and Betsy Coats, and many cousins, nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.
Suzanne was interred at Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington, Indiana at noon on Friday, March 24, 2023. A service to celebrate her life will be held at Christ Community Church in Bloomington, Indiana on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET. An afternoon tea in Suzanne’s honor will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Flowers and donations may be sent to Christ Community Church, 503 S. High St., Bloomington, IN 47401.