Suzanne Rife Farrington

Heaven gained the most special angel on April 17, 2024, Suzanne Rife Farrington, 89 passed away in West Des Moines. Services will be held at Edgewater in West Des Moines on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 3 pm. There will be visitation following the services.

Suzanne was born in Philadelphia on July 9, 1934 to Clarence and Corrine Rife. She enjoyed a great childhood with her two sisters, Joan and Corrine. She graduated from Lower Marion County High School in Ardmore, PA in 1952. She worked hard and put herself through college at Drexel in Philadelphia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957. She met the love of her life, John in April 1956. They were married in Philadelphia on May 30, 1957. They started their lives together in East Orange, NJ. Then John’s career moved them around, first was Washington D.C. where they adopted their son Robert and daughter Cynthia. Then they moved to Cleveland where they adopted their daughter Jennifer. The last move brought them to Des Moines. Suzanne was a homemaker most of her life. She signed up to help for all school, sports, Girl/Boy Scouts activities her children were involved in. She volunteered for many organizations over the years. One of her favorites was the The Festival of Trees for Blank Children’s Hospital.

After John’s retirement they decided to move to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. They loved the island life and leaving the Iowa winters behind. They loved riding bikes, going crabbing, clam bakes and all the fresh seafood. She was an active member and volunteer at St Luke’s Church. She really loved working with all the children especially during Vacation Bible School. They enjoyed many visitors and all of the family loved visiting Grammies and Poppies at the beach.

Suzanne lived an amazing love filled life. She took great pride in caring for and loving her family. She had an unwavering faith in God and lived a life of service. She enjoyed sewing, needlework, playing piano, singing and playing tennis. She sewed her kids some groovy outfits in the 70’s and lots of homemade Halloween costumes. She was an amazing gourmet cook and all sweets at our house were always home baked. She and John were blessed to travel the world to fabulous destinations. We had great family summer vacations to the East coast to visit relatives along the way. She made everyone around her feel special and loved. She was funny, creative, stubborn, feisty, a great storyteller, and the best lullaby singer. All of our lives are forever better for the love and inspiration she poured into each of us.

Suzanne is survived by her daughter, Jennifer; grandchildren Kelly, Susan (Ruddy), Jamie (Gabrielle), Gretchen, Cassidy, Sydney and Morgan and great grandchildren Joslynn, Amidy, Seth, Boston, Sage, Elijah, Dominic, Vivienne, Florence, Eleanor and Emmett. She is preceded in death by her loving husband John, her parents, her sisters, her son, Robert and daughter, Cynthia.

Thank you to the staff at Edgewater and WesleyLife Hospice for the care and compassion you provided Suzanne and her family over the years.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or St Luke’s Church on Hilton Head, SC.

*Edgewater is located at 9225 Cascade Avenue in West Des Moines, the services will be held on the second floor in the PAC.