July
06,
1982
06,
1982
January
24,
2024
24,
2024
After her second courageous battle with cancer (which was a “real swift kick in the pants,” as she often said), our sweet Susan “Susie” Marie Mahoney went to sing with the choir of angels on January 24, 2024. Susan was born on July 6, 1982 to James “Jim” and Julie (Stremlau) Mahoney in Mendota, IL. She graduated from Earlville High School in 2000 and Rockford College in 2005 with her “BS” in Psychology. She worked in foster care with Catholic Charities and Children's Home and Aide for many years before moving to senior care case work at Mercyhealth at Home.
When we count our blessings, we count Susie twice. Susie was a saint by definition. She never wanted more than her fair share, and she always gave whatever she could to the helpless or less fortunate (particularly children and babies — but the elderly, too). Susie believed in making people better. She wanted to heal the sick and broken, and she never asked for anything in return. She was an avid blood donor, and she was everyone’s babysitter. For the fortunate few, she was their lifeline as well.
Susie was an extroverted introvert. Although she could “party hardy” and sing her heart out, she preferred to spend most of her free time with the three loves of her life: her nieces. Whether you were related by blood or not, Susie treated everyone like family. No matter the occasion, she was always there. Susie never knew a stranger. She had an infectious laugh, a witty sense of humor, and a wonderful way with words.
While she was called to be a public servant and community advocate, she was also a gifted comedian (and artist). Anyone who read her social media posts would agree. Susie was your everyday hero. She inspired every life she touched. She sprinkled kindness everywhere; that was her superpower. Susie left the world better than she found it. She was a giver, and she was taken too soon. We will miss her something fierce, but we find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her dad in heaven.
She is survived by some of her favorite people: her mom and step-dad, Julie Mahoney-Krzyzek and Duane Krzyzek of Earlville, IL; sister, Mary Ellen (Greg) Spencer, of Rockford, IL; brother, James “Jim” Mahoney, of Earlville, IL; step-brother, Chad (Wendy) Krzyzek, of Pecatonica, IL; her nieces, Haileigh, Lily and Louisa, of Rockford, IL; aunt and uncles, Mary Jane (Frank) Brady of Lake Bluff, IL; Patricia (Matt) Bartlett of Geneva, IL; Colleen Mahoney of Jacksonville, FL; Sr. Anne Stremlau of Milwaukee, WI; Bill (Mary Ann) Stremlau of Ottawa, IL; Tom (Mary Joy) Stremlau of Brookfield, OH; Kathy (Harry) Eager of Earlville, IL; and Nancy Kellam of Virginia, IL and many cousins.
She is preceded in death by her dad, James “Jim” Mahoney; her grandparents, Ray and Mary E. Mahoney, Roger and Mary J. Stremlau, and Josephine Stremlau; step-brother, Tyler Krzyzek; her uncles, John Mahoney, B. J. Anderson, Neal Kellam, Ed Doughty, and Robert “Bob” Schmitz; and aunts, Mary Ellen Schmitz, Paula Doughty, and Jean Anderson.
We would like to thank the many CNAs, nurses, and doctors at Mercy Health Systems, especially Diane, Tiffany, John, Mattie, Dr. Tripp, Dr. Houck, and Dr. Larson. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. Liota and Dr. Kennedy at Loyola, Lyndsey and Mykayla at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute, and Dr. Plescia and the rest of the staff at Serenity Hospice Home. Furthermore, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge her Aunt Pat for being her medical advocate — or her mom, Julie, and her sister, Mary Ellen, for their “tender loving care” — during her last few months on Earth. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to her nieces’ education and Serenity Hospice Home.
“Who can say if [we]’ve been changed for the better…
But because [we] knew you… [we] have been changed… For good.”
— Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Visitation will be on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kingston United Methodist Church (121 First St. Kingston, IL 60145) and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the church in Kingston with Pastor Jacklyn Wills officiating. For more information or to sign the online guestbook go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Donations for nieces' education checks made payable to:
Illinois State Credit Union
5305 N 2nd St
Love Park, IL 61111
**Add "Spencer Education Fund" to memo
Donations for Serenity:
Serenity Hospice & Home
1658 IL 2
Oregon, 61061
**Add "Susan Mahoney" to memo
https://serenityhospiceandhome.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/serenityhospiceandhome/donation.jsp
Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
407 S. Ottawa St. ~ P.O. Box 808
Earlville, IL 60518
815-246-6491
When we count our blessings, we count Susie twice. Susie was a saint by definition. She never wanted more than her fair share, and she always gave whatever she could to the helpless or less fortunate (particularly children and babies — but the elderly, too). Susie believed in making people better. She wanted to heal the sick and broken, and she never asked for anything in return. She was an avid blood donor, and she was everyone’s babysitter. For the fortunate few, she was their lifeline as well.
Susie was an extroverted introvert. Although she could “party hardy” and sing her heart out, she preferred to spend most of her free time with the three loves of her life: her nieces. Whether you were related by blood or not, Susie treated everyone like family. No matter the occasion, she was always there. Susie never knew a stranger. She had an infectious laugh, a witty sense of humor, and a wonderful way with words.
While she was called to be a public servant and community advocate, she was also a gifted comedian (and artist). Anyone who read her social media posts would agree. Susie was your everyday hero. She inspired every life she touched. She sprinkled kindness everywhere; that was her superpower. Susie left the world better than she found it. She was a giver, and she was taken too soon. We will miss her something fierce, but we find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her dad in heaven.
She is survived by some of her favorite people: her mom and step-dad, Julie Mahoney-Krzyzek and Duane Krzyzek of Earlville, IL; sister, Mary Ellen (Greg) Spencer, of Rockford, IL; brother, James “Jim” Mahoney, of Earlville, IL; step-brother, Chad (Wendy) Krzyzek, of Pecatonica, IL; her nieces, Haileigh, Lily and Louisa, of Rockford, IL; aunt and uncles, Mary Jane (Frank) Brady of Lake Bluff, IL; Patricia (Matt) Bartlett of Geneva, IL; Colleen Mahoney of Jacksonville, FL; Sr. Anne Stremlau of Milwaukee, WI; Bill (Mary Ann) Stremlau of Ottawa, IL; Tom (Mary Joy) Stremlau of Brookfield, OH; Kathy (Harry) Eager of Earlville, IL; and Nancy Kellam of Virginia, IL and many cousins.
She is preceded in death by her dad, James “Jim” Mahoney; her grandparents, Ray and Mary E. Mahoney, Roger and Mary J. Stremlau, and Josephine Stremlau; step-brother, Tyler Krzyzek; her uncles, John Mahoney, B. J. Anderson, Neal Kellam, Ed Doughty, and Robert “Bob” Schmitz; and aunts, Mary Ellen Schmitz, Paula Doughty, and Jean Anderson.
We would like to thank the many CNAs, nurses, and doctors at Mercy Health Systems, especially Diane, Tiffany, John, Mattie, Dr. Tripp, Dr. Houck, and Dr. Larson. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. Liota and Dr. Kennedy at Loyola, Lyndsey and Mykayla at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute, and Dr. Plescia and the rest of the staff at Serenity Hospice Home. Furthermore, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge her Aunt Pat for being her medical advocate — or her mom, Julie, and her sister, Mary Ellen, for their “tender loving care” — during her last few months on Earth. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to her nieces’ education and Serenity Hospice Home.
“Who can say if [we]’ve been changed for the better…
But because [we] knew you… [we] have been changed… For good.”
— Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Visitation will be on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kingston United Methodist Church (121 First St. Kingston, IL 60145) and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the church in Kingston with Pastor Jacklyn Wills officiating. For more information or to sign the online guestbook go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Donations for nieces' education checks made payable to:
Illinois State Credit Union
5305 N 2nd St
Love Park, IL 61111
**Add "Spencer Education Fund" to memo
Donations for Serenity:
Serenity Hospice & Home
1658 IL 2
Oregon, 61061
**Add "Susan Mahoney" to memo
https://serenityhospiceandhome.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/serenityhospiceandhome/donation.jsp
Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
407 S. Ottawa St. ~ P.O. Box 808
Earlville, IL 60518
815-246-6491
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