Suzanne Duval Fonnesbeck

On the morning of 20 October 2004 while an honor guard of mourning doves stood quietly in the yard, our raison d'etre, our revered amazing petite mother, Suzanne Duval Fonnesbeck, loving woman, Meme, sister, aunt, and friend let go of life to be joyfully greeted by her husband, parents, and siblings.

Her life's journey began 2 April 1921 in Mapleshade, NJ. Her parents, Jules Rene Duval and Blanche Gerbet were French citizens. This gave her immediate dual citizenship in the U.S. and in France. Towards the end of Prohibition and just before the stock market crash, her mother returned to France with her and her sister, Annette, while their father, a French wine representative, remained in the U.S. to settle affairs. The girls' early school years were spent in Poligny and Arbois, Jura, France. The occupation of France by Nazi Germany during World War II prompted the patriotic Suzanne, now a young art student living in Paris, to join the French Resistance as a courier.

After the Allies liberated Paris, Suzanne met Tillman Fonnesbeck, a GI from Logan, Utah, at a USO function. She was reading The Stars and Stripes and he "liked her legs." Although she could speak and read English well enough, her writing skills were rusty, so after Till returned to the U.S. they corresponded through her mother who had befriended Till and shared his sense of humor. In 1946, she returned to the U.S. seeking employment in the art field in hopes of helping her sister, who was ill with tuberculosis, return here for medical treatment. When Till discovered she was in Salt Lake City he brought her to his parents' home in Logan. They married on 16 March 1947 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Till was an electrical contractor in partnership with his brothers. Till died 10 January 1994.

Suzanne majored in fashion design at L'ecole d'Art Applique de la Mode in Paris. Art was a lifelong passion and joy which was gladly and proudly supported by Till and her children. As one of the founders of the Idaho Falls Art Guild she also served as its first president. As well as participating in the annual Spring Art Shows originally held at I.F. High School then later at the Log Cabin, the Sidewalk Art Shows at Tautphaus Park plus the Eastern Idaho State Fair at Blackfoot, she also exhibited in various shows throughout Idaho and the U.S. She taught art in her home; gave demonstrations in schools to many future artists; also helped design the stained glass windows depicting mysteries of the rosary for Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Mom really loved doing the fashion ads for LeVine's and Carroll's, ladies dress stores in Idaho Falls, in part because she was practicing her dream and training in fashion illustration. She was a member of the I.F. chapter of Zonta International, a professional women's association, to which she donated a watercolor of Amelia Earhart–which was at one time displayed at the I.F. airport. People and animals were her favorite subjects and watercolor and India ink were her preferred media. Her expressive style was admired by many, but none as much as her family. In our estimation, there was no one as gifted an artist as she.

Mom was an extraordinary woman whose style and way of doing things were uniquely hers. One of our mutually favorite recollections is seeing her sitting on the ground, knees propped up to support her watercolor pad, licking her brush and swiping it across her arm to create just the right thickness of stroke or amount and depth of color, then briefly swooshing the brush around in the air before applying watercolor or ink to paper, totally focused on her subject. Mom influenced and fostered our own love and interest in the arts, self-expression, and people in general. She gave us the gift of respecting, enjoying and feeling life in all its aspects.

From both Till and Suzanne we learned about the horrors of war and the need to be responsible citizens of the world; their example taught us tolerance, forgiveness, compassion, courtesy, generosity, kindness and love of animals. We also learned the practical value of knowing several languages including "cat"! We have many fine and humorous memories related to language and its endlessly amusing interpretations. They were our mentors. We honor them, miss them and feel a sadness beyond words now that they are both physically gone from our lives. Suzanne's friendship and love were given wholeheartedly and unconditionally. She remained a gracious, delightful, spiritual lady throughout her illness and daily trials humbling us with her philosophy of acceptance and gently teaching us forbearance.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who supported and cared for Mom, for their sympathetic encouragement, treatment and kindness to her and to us–especially to Sister Angela, Jeanie, Sheri, Lisa, Melinda, and Kay. Bless you all. You are our heroes.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Pitcher, Salt Lake City; Annette Fonnesbeck (Patrick Brown), and Jacqueline Fonnesbeck, Idaho Falls; grandsons Jeremy Glass (Charlette), Jamison Pitcher, and Tillman Glass; three great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and special buddy, Bubba-looey. Besides her parents and her husband, Till, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Elise Kehoe and Annette Duval, brother, Robert Duval; and son-in-law, Ken Pitcher.

Vigil and rosary on Sunday October 24 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, (5000 So.) S.L.C. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday October 25 followed by a luncheon at the Benvegnu Center. Graveside services and committal on Tuesday October 26 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at Rosehill Cemetery (east of Rollandet on W. 21st Street.) A reception will be held after the I.F. services at Christ the King Parish Hall 1690 E. 17th Street (17th & Woodruff).

Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 10/23/2004 - 10/24/2004.

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Thank you to Find A Grave and Mr. Warnke for transferring Mom to me. pfp (I, her daughter, am the author of the obituary)

Note: various records show her name spelled both as Susanne and Suzanne. Mom, however, wrote her name with the 'z'. I honor her choice. pfp

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Mom's second grandson, Tillman, died Wed. 9/13/2023. He was her "Baby Tillman" from the day he was born. Mom and Dad must be grieving for all of us while together they are holding Till in their arms.