In Loving Memory of Dr. Suzanne Kirwin O'Boyle

Dr. Suzanne Kirwin O’Boyle, Ph.D. died January 14, 2019 following a heroic six week battle with illness.  Born May 8, 1948 to Michael and Ruth Regan Kirwin, she attended Scranton Central High School and earned a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education and an M.S. in Special Education from Marywood University, an M.S. in Educational Technology from Wilkes University, and fulfilled a lifetime aspiration by earning a Ph.D. in Human Development from Marywood University in 2008.  She dedicated her professional life to the service of the children of the Scranton School District, beginning her career there in high school and college as a payroll secretary at the Administration Building and continuing on as a regular and special education teacher at schools throughout the District until her retirement.  She finished her career at Prescott Elementary where she took it upon herself to plant a flower garden annually, a practice she continued after her retirement. 

Suzanne and Michael, her husband of forty eight years, created together a beautiful family of ten children: Michael (Nell), Karen (Lance) Tost, Ciera (Patrick) Doherty, Kerry (Grant) Callender, Kate, Shane, Matthew (Kerri), Colin (Melissa), Kielan, Kathleen (Michael) Connors. They were further blessed with nineteen grandchildren: Molly, Zoe, and Ben O’Boyle; Kaytlen, Ethan, Bridget, Dylan, Ella, and Owen Tost; Patrick, Saoirse Suzanne, and Brendan Doherty; Susan, Ryan, Eamon, and Sarah Grace Callender; Emma and Liam O’Boyle; Finnegan O’Boyle, many of whom she cared for daily in “Nana’s Daycare”.  She was an ever-available, beyond generous and caring, entirely selfless, endlessly strong wife, mother, and Nana.

Suzanne was the oldest of eight siblings: Karen (Ned) Martin, Rev. Michael Kirwin, Jean Marie (Howard) Decker, Robert Kirwin, Kathleen (John) Mann, and Alice Byron, all of the Scranton area, Elizabeth (Joseph) Galaszewski of DE, and John (Michelle) Kirwin of MD. She loved dearly her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Had she lived a thousand years, it would not have been enough for those who loved her. 

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where she volunteered as a lector, cantor, choir member, CCD teacher, and Pre-Cana leader, attended mass daily, and met with her beloved Rosary group weekly. 

Suzanne lived by Christ’s teaching that one die to self to live for others.  This was evidenced in her every action and interaction. Sue never met a stranger. The number of times and ways she offered assistance to those in need is incalculable.  Sue outfitted students with prom clothes, supplied refugees with household goods and tutoring, advocated fiercely for vulnerable children, sheltered victims of domestic violence and their children, quietly lifted friends and family in need, and the list goes on and on.

The best way to honor Sue’s memory is to reach out to a stranger in need.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Ave. Scranton, Pa 18509.

The funeral will be Friday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore with a Mass at 11:00am at Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Ave, Scranton. Friends are asked to go directly to the church the morning of the Mass.

Interment, St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow

Friends may call Thursday from 4-7pm at the funeral home.