Reid Smith Suchanec

Reid Smith Suchanec, 81, passed peacefully in the early morning hours of August 11, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was the devoted wife of John R. Suchanec for over 61 years, a goose to his gander, with family and celebration at the heart of their marriage. Together Reid and John raised three daughters: Heather Manning Suchanec-Cooper (Jon Cooper); Jennifer Reid Suchanec; and Catherine Mischa H. Suchanec (Jason Coughenour). They were blessed with ten beloved grandchildren with whom they created boundless magical memories: Hannah (Josh Davis), John Henry, Ella, and William Cooper; Josephine and Samuel Thomas; and Jonah, Acadia, Ezra, and Eva Coughenour. To these beautiful grandchildren and their friends, Reid was lovingly known as “Grandma Moon” or “Moon”. She loved bedtime readings of “Good Night Moon” and taking Moon Walks. As her future son-in-law said, she’ll be with us every night; she is our Moon. In addition to her immediate family, Reid is survived by her sister and adventure partner, Krista Manning Meinersmann; her beloved brother-in-law, David Witke; John’s sister, Rosemarie Grizzard (John), and a huge network of nieces and nephews whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eve Manning Reid and Paul Edgar Smith; her two older sisters, Pricilla Bill Witke and Natalie Hooker Smith; and two nephews, Kasey Simpkiss and Edward Crowe. Reid was the heart and soul of a glorious family, who knew how to live, laugh, love, play, and adventure together. She joyfully filled their lives with magic, warmth, and curiosity. This beautiful presence of hers was like a welcome tide that always returns and brings something new and exciting for all who knew her, including her friends at the Newark Country Club (Hacker for 43 years), the Newark Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the UU Womenspirit, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, her Christmas-Day-Toast Family, her “Petal” women, the University of Delaware tailgaters, and countless more friends and neighbors. Born in Wilmington, DE on May 26, 1944, Reid and her sisters were raised in the fairylike utopian village of Arden, DE where they romped with friends through the woods, stone hopped in the creek, performed in community theater at the Gild Hall, and enjoyed community dinners and music sessions with neighbors who became family. Reid graduated from P.S. Dupont High School where, among other accomplishments, she was a cheerleader who would lead anyone who asked in the school’s rollicking BOBOSKI cheer. Reid graduated from the University of Delaware in 1966, a proud member of the Nursing School’s First Graduating Class. Her student-nursing photo was featured in the Nursing School’s 50th anniversary brochure, which brought her great joy. Reid was a tremendous role model of feminine strength. She raised her three daughters lovingly while earning her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and writing a noted thesis about breast feeding; a practice about which she cared very deeply. She then embarked on her lifelong career as a member of the Delaware nursing community: beginning as a visiting nurse, continuing as a labor and delivery nurse at Wilmington General Hospital, teaching Natural Childbirth Classes, and finally serving as a Maternal and Childbirth Nursing Instructor at Delaware Tech. Community College. After retiring, Reid volunteered in the surgical waiting room as a member of the Junior Women’s League, served as a Stephen Minister at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, DE, and many committees at the UU Fellowship, most importantly pastoral care. She loved helping people and being a part of the medical community. She fell into conversation with every nurse she met, asking them about their training, their work history, and their favorite things about nursing. She loved crossing paths with former students with whom she felt deeply connected. Reid’s life was a rich tapestry woven from love, family, and an endless sense of wonder. She taught those around her to look for magic in the everyday, to celebrate life’s small joys, and to never lose sight of the beauty in the world. Her joys included, but were not limited to: family gatherings in Lewes; long beach walks; “Oh Hell” card games with “protest” bids; hunting for toads; rescuing turtles; the annual Horseshoe Crab count; biking to Rehoboth; dolphin dives through ocean waves; no-breathers in the pool; family camping trips; mountain hikes in Maine; refreshing swims in Echo Lake; smores around the campfire; family trips to Disney World; hunting for hidden Mickeys; visits to Longwood Gardens and the Philadelphia Zoo; UU Womenspirit; SUSSI; Sacred Circle Dancing; sleepy mornings that stretched into afternoons; late-night walks with deep conversation; talking about good books; going to the movies; sharing details about her most recent dream; matching Christmas Pajamas; baking lemon squares and 7-layer cookies; sharing mocha milkshakes; lunch dates with loved ones; dancing with John; and always being open to every adventure life offered. The family wishes to thank the entire medical community at Christiana Hospital who supported Reid and her family during her final week of life. Your compassion, care and gentle guidance were a blessing to us. Reid’s family invites friends and family to come together for a Joy-Filled Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark, 420 Willa Road, Newark, DE. Seating will begin at 1:00, with the service starting at 1:30. A reception will immediately follow. Cheerful clothing is encouraged to honor the spirit and energy of Reid, whom we love to the moon and back.

Reid Smith Suchanec

May 26, 1944 - August 11, 2025