Visitation for Suzanne Eleanor Ecke McColl will be Sunday, February 12, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm at Bella Sera at the Preserve, 4500 Bob Billings Parkway, Lawrence. Additional parking is available next door at the Police Department and Office Complex. Private family inurnment will be in Pioneer Cemetery.
After a long illness, Mrs. McColl, of Lawrence, Kansas, died on Monday, February 6, 2017, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
Suzanne was born to the late Rollin and Eleanor Ecke, in 1937, in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Pomona College in 1959 with a BA in Sociology, married and had two sons. She moved to Lawrence, Kansas in the mid 1960’s and worked for awhile as secretary to the Aerospace Engineering Department at KU.
Among her hobbies were knitting, reading and playing bridge. She also enjoyed walking with a group of friends known as the “Jabberwalkers”, as well as traveling, visiting many countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
For most of her life Suzanne was very active, enjoying playing golf and tennis, and swimming. She enjoyed golf so much that she was one of the regular players of Wii Golf at Brandon Woods.
Suzanne was known and appreciated by her friends as being a polite, considerate, and gracious lady with an endearing smile. She was a generous person with family, friends, and a variety of charities, including giving large donations to the Bob J. Dole Institute, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and the University of Kansas for the Suzanne Ecke McColl Nature Reserve.
She was also active in many groups, including the University Women’s Club, her Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and the Zodiac Club in addition to volunteer work with such organizations as Brandon Woods nursing home, Meals on Wheels, and Trinity In-Home Care.
She was loved by many and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to one of Suzanne’s preferred charities below or a church or charity of your choice.
Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation for scholarships (or The Suzanne Ecke McColl, Colorado College, Memorial Scholarship). Checks should be made payable to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 38, Columbus, OH 43216-0038. Or www.kappa.org/donation.
Pomona College (“In memory of Suzanne E. McColl” in the memo line). Checks can be sent in care of Don Pattison, 550 North College Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, or be arranged online: www.pomona.edu/give.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.
It has to be Karma! Tonight in Palm Desert, CA I thought of Suzanne, whom I met when we were just toddlers. She lived on Country Club Drive and I lived just 3 or 4 blocks away on Eastborne Ave, Westwood, CA. We were best friends throughout our childhood and I was a bridesmaid at her wedding. The reception was held in the Ecke’s backyard. Throughout our adult lives we kept in touch, but I never got to Lawrence, Kansas to visit. I became concerned when I didn’t hear from her at Christmas some years ago. I googled her and learned she was in the hospital with a broken hip. I called the hospital and spoke with her. She was flabbergasted and told me she was living at Brandon Woods and was ill. Soon after, I too, became quite ill from a hereditary lung disease similar to Cystic Fibrosis and I am living in Senior Care in Palm Desert. I never smoked, except once when the Ecke’s invited me to visit a dude ranch (Remuda Ranch in Wickenburg, AZ. I also knew the owners) Suzanne and I tried to smoke her Mom’s cigarettes – Pall Malls, I think. We giggled and carried on. We were just 15 and in those days we were incredibly naive. All through Fairburn Avenue Elementary School we were called the giggelers and were often sent to the cloak room to calm down. You have always been my kindred spirit, Suzanne. You were my best friend forever and I’m so sorry I never got to Kansas. We’ll meet again before too long. Love you and I’ll donate to one of your preferred charities as soon as my sadness and shock lessen. I missed your visitation by one day! KARMA.
My memories of Suzanne arose from walking together with the Jabberwalkers. She welcomed any story that could draw a chuckle from both of us. My best wishes to the family as you adjust to your loss. My donation will be made in her honor to the scholarship fund at the University Women’s Club.
She was the first person in Lawrence to invite me to play bridge when I came here 21 years ago. Also walked with the Jabberwalkers before they got the name. Long time friends are hard to lose. Will miss her and will remember the good times.
I enjoyed my conversations with Suzanne as we walked. She welcomed my questions and was so warm. She has been missed. May the memories be a blessing to all the family.
Suzanne was an amazing woman. Loved her laugh and generous spirit. Enjoyed walking with her with the Jabberwalkers. I was in a four some bridge group with her. I can see her playing bridge with Agnes. RIP Suzanne.
Please accept my sympathy. Suzanne was a very classy lady and I enjoyed knowing her as Jabberwaker.
Suzanne was a gracious, unpretentious woman. I enjoyed knowing her as a member of the Jabberwalkers group and Meals on Wheels. She will be missed by many. I will make a donation to the University Women’s Scholarship Fund in memory of Suzanne.
Suzanne was a very gracious and kind person. She was interested and involved in many programs in Lawrence. Suzanne was a good friend. She welcomed us to Lawrence and was a fellow “Jabberwalker”. She will be missed by so many.
Suzanne was indeed a gracious, interesting person. I enjoyed knowing her as a fellow Jabber Walker. Sympathy to family.
Suzanne loved her two sons so much, and was one of the most considerate women to everyone she knew. I never heard her say an unkind word. She had a wonderful, infectious laugh. She will be missed so much!!!
It was a joy to have known Suzanne. And we, the Jabberwalkers, got to know you, the two sons, as well because we all always shared our family news (all of it good.) I loved her and have missed her. God bless both of you. I will send a donation to the University of Kansas for the University Women’s Club Scholarship Fund. She was an avid supporter of that as well.
Your mom was a wonderful and remarkable lady! She served on our Meals on Wheels Board of Director’s and it was a joy to serve with her! She was such a sweetie and will be missed by many!
Kevin
We’re so sorry to hear about your mom . Prayers for you & your family.
Lyle & Sherry Morris
She also liked wi golf, playing it as a Brandon Woods sport! Always wanting to improve her score. She will be missed.