It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know Suzie Stewart (pictured with some of her favorite people) died Friday morning. She was surrounded by her staff for the several days before she died.

Suzie moved into our Walnut St program in 1985 and then moved to our Crockett Rd program in 2016. Despite her many challenges including an inability to speak Suzie lived a rich life. She had amazing parents who loved her very much. She had a supportive guardian and had many friendships.

While at Walnut St she had a beloved friend John who she spent many hours sitting with. They both enjoyed sitting in the sun, whether outside in the yard or on the couch. After John passed she developed a close relationship with Doris. She loved to rest her elbows on Doris' lap tray and look at her. Doris was happy to be able to visit Suzie in the hospital.

While she lived at Crockett she had many experiences that she loved. She went on vacation to the Wolf Lodge, to the beach, to Coco Keys. Staff took her everywhere. Staff loved to help her dress her up, do her hair, and her nails. She had a close relationship with Christy and Wilnem.

The staff that worked with Suzie feel a heavy loss. Each person who was with her in her final days told her how much she meant to them. When three of the staff were leaving the hospital after Suzie died, a nurse approached them, (practically with tears) to thank them and the Edinburg Center for the love and support that was showed to Suzie. She said " I have a daughter with disabilities too and she lives in group home, and it nice to see that you guys are family and that you truly loved Suzie", she continued "let me walk away before I start to cry".

Services for Suzie will be at Douglas Funeral Home in Lexington 10:00 am on Friday February 28th. All are then invited back to Suzie's home at Crockett Drive in Chelmsford at noon for stories and lunch.