Traverse City – Suzanne Kay Wagg, 80, of Traverse City passed away in the comfort of her tranquil and cozy home on June 8, 2021, just shy of her 81st birthday.
Born on July 3, 1940 in Lansing to the late Charles Wagg and Gertrude (Kennedy) Wagg, Suzanne embodied all the qualities of a truly quintessential, timeless mid-century woman. She lived a life full of strength, softness, perseverance and love.
Having graduated from Lansing High School, Suzanne went on to college, where she met Charles Bradford Remington. After marrying and moving to Shaker Heights, Cleveland, they had three beautiful children together, Bradford, Clay and Leslie, for whom she made countless sacrifices as she raised them with tenderness, patience and care. They were her greatest joys.
Her presence was one of true grace, never overpowering, always calming and full of wisdom – wisdom, which she gained through both life experience and voracious reading and higher-education. Suzanne was never afraid to pursue her dreams, and to stand up for what was right. Even after having three rambunctious children, she defied cultural and social norms at the time and went back to college to obtain her nursing degree. She lived by example – and her children vividly remember her studying into the wee-hours of the night. That very resolute determination flowed throughout every facet of her life – not only by serving others as an extremely caring RN, but throughout life's other obstacles. And through each turn, she faced the world with humble gracefulness and poise – a poise that has grown irreplaceable in today's modern era.
Beyond her three children, she relished in life's simple joys –a lesson we can all learn so very much from. She cherished summers spent on the shores of Long Lake Michigan, nights spent in her Father's cabin.
As the years grew, so too did her wisdom. She found passion in carefully checking off each book read of her favorite authors, and when the moment came to carefully bookmark a page, you could always find her peacefully resting in her favorite arm chair sweetly commenting on the latest tennis match.
She aged with gracefulness and acceptance, and each day found joy, peace and contentment in the simple pleasures of life. She found solace in the warm summer nights, sleeping with the fan on or listening to music on her old-fashioned radio. While many keep fancy books of recipes, she was a woman of keen practicality – her children relished in finding a bowl full of hand-written recipes all carefully scribbled on yellow notebook paper, a striking reflection of her enduring spirit.
Perhaps most symbolic of the beautiful, full and humble life she lived were the cherished early mornings that she spent sitting on her back patio listening to the birds, talking to the chipmunks and feeling the warm breeze. And it was on the very porch that her children and friends savor every moment they had with her, as she effortlessly and delicately shared her wisdom in talking about life's biggest and littlest elements. Her wit and striking intellect shined through in those moments, like a song complimenting the singing birds.
In true poetic form, her humbleness kept her from seeing how extraordinary and stunningly beautiful she truly was – Suzanne was a classic woman– she forged the frontier for so many all while living the most beautiful, enduring and meaningful of lives with sweetness, loyalty, sincerity and strength. Her immense beauty will be forever cherished and missed.
She is survived by her son Bradford Clay Remington; son Clay Steven Remington and daughter Leslie Diane; grandchildren Elani and Khalil; sister Elaine Case and her three children, who will all carry on her legacy of strength and love.
To celebrate her life, the family had a private remembrance gathering at her home.