Suzanne F. Henderson OBITUARY

Suzanne “Sue” Karen Filek Henderson, age 88, of Lake Bluff / Lake Forest, IL passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. Sue was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, the oldest child of Dr. Allan and Meta (Johnson) Filek. Suzanne and her late husband Philip of 55 years, took tremendous joy in raising their children, participating in the grandchildren’s events and overly committing to community involvement. She enjoyed traveling the world, exploring museums and taking her children on long road trips to countless National Parks. After graduating from West High School in Madison, Wisconsin she started her freshman year at the University of Arkansas and subsequently completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin. She pledged to Kappa Kappa Gamma and participated in all the activities that Madison had to offer. She loved waterskiing and skating on the lake in the winter. Upon graduating, she moved to Chicago to work at Time, Inc. and lived at the Eleanor Club, which was a dormitory for women in the 1960’s where she developed lifelong friendships. Eventually marrying Philip, whom she’d known since grade school, she started her family and they danced through life together. Phil’s career led them to Park Forest, Geneva, Illinois, Richardson, Texas and her last move to Lake Bluff, Illinois where she and Phil lived for 45 years. In retirement, they spent the Chicago winters in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii watching the sunsets, exploring the Big Island and enjoying the lack of snow shoveling. Sue was an avid tennis player and enjoyed playing against her sons until they could outrun her. It was at this point she took up golf, which she enjoyed through retirement at Knollwood Country Club having been a member for forty-five years. Prior to Knollwood, Phil and Sue were members of Geneva Country Club, Bent Tree and Canyon Creek clubs. She was a dedicated volunteer who served as a Republican Committee Poling Coordinator for numerous elections. She tirelessly supported Lake Forest High School, having sat on several committees as a liaison between parents and teachers and eventually completed two terms as a school board member. Sue described her years on the board as her “dream job” and distinguished herself as an effective advocate for the teachers and students. She served as a docent for countless fund-raisers, belonged to Questors (antique group), LIFE (Women’s financial group) and a PEO member. Sue and Phil were long time members of Connoisseurs International, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Throughout her life Sue was a collector of friendships. She invested in relationships and along each stop of her wonderful journey, added a variety of people to her never-ending Christmas card recipient list. Sue was a force in life with boundless energy that she directed towards helping others. In short, Sue was a thoughtful and selfless giver. Suzanne is survived by sons William George (Cristi) of Seminole, FL, Brian David (Anne) of Nichols Hills, OK, daughter Karen Anne (Timothy Smith) of Dallas, TX and four grandchildren: Lindsey Brooks (Scott Shimp), David Allan (Morgan), Nicolas George and Devin Paul. She was preceded in death by her parents Allan and Meta Filek and brother Richard Filek. A private family ceremony will take place in Madison, WI. The Family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Steven Lasin and the staff at Forward Focus Concierge Medicine, who provided compassionate care, Dr. Matthew Adess, Highland Park, IL and the entire community of health care professionals, the staff at Balmoral Nursing Home, Lake Forest Place and JourneyCare Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PEO at https://www.peointernational.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Individual-Donation-FillableForm-February-2024.pdf, Heifer International, https://fundraise.heifer.org/fundraiser/5444251 or JourneyCare Foundation at https://journeycare.org/donate/ Info. – Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest (847) 234-9649 or www.RTfuneral.com