SUZANNE NORMAN SLATKIN

Fort Worth, Texas - Suzanne Norman Slatkin passed away on November 5, 2024, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. She was born on June 29, 1949, at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas to Roy Grahm Norman and Martha Nell Bonner Norman. Suzanne attended Arlington Heights High school before going on to earn her B.S. in Elementary Education at Texas Wesleyan University. Suzanne was blessed with two children, Bethany and Scott, as well as two grandchildren, Preston and Campbell. Suzanne’s children and grandchildren were her deepest love, and she doted on them regularly. Second only to them was her love for her dachshunds, most recently, Lady and Tootsie.

Early in her career, Suzanne was a special education teacher, but then took time off to raise her family. Later, she returned to education, working as a Parent Educator with Fort Worth ISD for 18 years. She then went on to teach at Waverly Park Elementary until her retirement. She found particular joy in helping young children learn to read and love books.

Despite stints living elsewhere, Suzanne was a proud Forth Worthian, and made her permanent home there. Suzanne kept herself busy with a variety of activities around town, including mahjong and book clubs, as well as regular movie and dinner nights with friends. She could never turn down an invitation from her son-in-law to go eat at Zeke’s when he was in town. But Suzanne also loved to travel, and visited places like England and Scotland, Hawaii, Holland, Switzerland, and the Holy Land.

Suzanne was a long-time member of Beth-El Congregation, where she frequently donated her time and met with friends. Indeed, some of her closest and most important friendships came from that temple. Suzanne was particularly known for hosting dinners on high holy days.

Suzanne will be remembered for her cheerful smile and welcoming spirit, her kind heart, and an unending willingness to help others—even if they didn’t ask for it. Always seeing the good in people, Suzanne had the enviable power to give compliments out frequently and with alacrity. She was also easy-going and down to earth; the kind of person anyone could talk to. 

Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents and, tragically, her beloved son, Scott.

She is survived by her daughter, Bethany Kelso (Christian) and grandchildren, Preston and Campbell Kelso, as well as her siblings, Larry Norman and Beth Hyatt (Pete). Other surviving family members include nieces, Linden Spyropoulos (Tony) and Colleen Wilsford (James), sister-in-law, Kathy Taylor, and nephews, Bryan and J.T. Taylor.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at 12:15 pm Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Beth-El Congregation, 4901 Briarhaven Road, with Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger and Rabbi Brian Zimmerman officiating. A reception will follow the service. She will be laid to rest privately in the Beth-El Section of Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Beth-El Congregation or the American Heart Association, in loving memory of her and her son, Scott.