Obituary of Suzanne Taylor Hood

Suzanne Taylor Hood died on May 26^th surrounded by some of her favorite people after battling Alzheimer’s for 8 years.  She was 88 years old.  She lived in Tulsa, OK with her husband of 68 years, L. L. “Andy” Hood. 

Suzanne was born in Moab, UT on January 5, 1936.  Her parents were Lester R. and Helen Goudelock Taylor.  She had three brothers, D. L. Taylor (wife Colleen), Joe Taylor (wife Susie) and Jeff Taylor (wife Pam).  Jeff is the only living brother and he will speak at her funeral on Saturday.  She attended Grand County High School in Moab. 

Suzanne earned her Associate of Arts degree from Stephens College in Columbia, MO.  While a student there, she had a blind date (a toga party!) with a handsome, confident, fun, gregarious young man named Lowell.  He quickly earned the nickname Andy in his U of Missouri TKE Fraternity and Suzanne was hoping it would stick!  He’s been known as Andy ever since. Suzanne was the TKE Fraternity National Calendar girl for the month of December.  The couple married in Columbia, MO on June 8^th, 1955.  In high school, Andy joined the US Navy reserves, then after his college graduation, he was sent to French Morocco, Africa as an officer.  Suzanne was determined to go to Africa with him!  Before their flight to Africa, they experienced passport issues.  One airport official told them Suzanne could not accompany him.  Another airport official came over to them (he had overheard the conversation with the NO man) and told them to come back in the morning and he would help make sure Suzanne could go with him.  On their flight over, on a Military transport plane, on Thanksgiving Day 1955, they had turkey sandwiches on the plane.  They landed in Newfoundland.  They took off again, but one of the engines caught fire!  The Pilot came on and said not to worry, he would descend, turn around and get the plane fixed at the base.  Suzanne happened to be reading the book Sinking of the Titanic.  Andy said they could see the reflection of the fire on the Atlantic Ocean.  They landed safely back in Newfoundland, spent the night while the plane was getting fixed, then flew the next day wearing fall/winter clothes so they were not prepared for the heat, which made a memorable entry in Morocco.  Their first-born son, John Taylor Hood was born there.  They lived there for two years.  They moved to the Kansas City area and had two more sons, Brian Kent Hood and Gregory Lee Hood.  They were able to buy a dream house in Kansas City, MO.  The lady who was selling it loved their little family because they reminded her of her own family who had been raised in that home.  They really couldn’t afford such a great house, but the lady knocked the price down so that they could buy it.  That is where they lived when their daughter, Andrea Hood Davis, was born.  Suzanne was a wonderful mother and truly loved her roles of Homemaker, Wife and Mom.  She always set a beautiful table and loved to provide fancy, labor intensive meals for her family.  She was an amazing cook.  She always used the silver and the China.  She loved to have friends and family over for dinner parties.  Thanksgiving was her very favorite holiday and all the family gathered at their home for years.  Suzanne’s dressing was a family favorite!

In 1967 the family of six moved to Houston, TX where they lived for three years.  Suzanne always made deep roots in her neighborhood and at the kids’ schools.  She never looked at Andy’s job transfers as a sad time but a great opportunity to grow and meet new friends, while simultaneously bolstering his career with The Prudential.  She had a positive attitude about moving, which made it easier for the family.  In 1971 the family moved to Dallas, TX where they lived for eight years.  Suzanne cheered and kept stats at hundreds of sporting events for her children.  In 1979 Andy was again transferred, this time to Tulsa, OK with Prudential.  Suzanne was involved in Junior League and was a Hospice volunteer.  They joined Boston Avenue Methodist Church after Andy heard Dr. Mouzon Biggs speak at his Tulsa Rotary meeting.  They lived there for three years.  In 1982 Andy was transferred back to Houston where they lived in a high-rise apartment and had a fancy life for several years.  When their daughter-in-law, Dianne, died in 1990, Andy and Suzanne took in their Colorado grandkids - Jarrod (age 9), Lesley (age 7) and Joshua (age 22 mo).  This was a huge transition for the whole family.  They bought a house in Katy, TX and raised these three kids who have grown up into wonderful adults.  They attended every one of their school functions and sporting events, once again, fully jumping back into Mom & Dad mode with a smile on their faces.  Suzanne made numerous trips to see her other grandkids and attend their plays, sporting events, birthday parties and school events.  She did not miss very many things, even being out of state.  She was very serious about her hobby of photography.  She would come to Tulsa for a weekend and take 10,000 pictures.  Not only did she connect with people while posing them for a photo, but she also took the time to send the pictures to them.  Her scrap book collection was immense as she truly documented the daily lives of her loved ones.  When Suzanne’s memory was failing, she enjoyed looking at pictures on her phone to help her remember what she had done and where she had been.  She would say “it looks like I had a great time!”  She was known for her honesty, her wit and her funny one liners.  

When Suzanne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016, they decided to come back to Tulsa where they already had a church and friends…and Andrea & family.  They moved into Montereau in March of 2017 and never regretted that decision.  With their outgoing personalities, they adjusted very quickly!  They lived happily together in a beautiful apartment, surrounded by their beloved artwork, several paintings done by son John.  With Suzanne’s declining health the last two years, Andy worked very hard every day to take care of her.  She was the one who used to take care of him, so it was a sharp role-reversal, and he managed it beautifully.  SuSu, as everyone now calls her, was a star in Andrea’s Kindergarten classroom.  The kids loved her and her jewelry and cowboy hats! 

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Andy Hood and their four children listed in order…son John Taylor (Mill Valley, CA), daughter-in-law, Hilary, granddaughter Whitney Rosso, her husband Greg, and great-grandchildren Miles John Rosso, Harlow and Lily Rosso.  Granddaughters Siena Hood and Lila Hood.  Son Brian Hood (Denver, CO), daughter-in-law, Jan.  Number one grandson Jarrod Taylor Hood (Plano, TX) and his wife Rachel.  Great-grandchildren, Gavin Taylor and Avery Hood.  Granddaughter Lesley Hood (San Antonio, TX) and great-grandson, Jack Collins.  Grandson Joshua (Houston, TX) and his wife, Catherine.  Great-granddaughter, Kate Hood.  Son Gregory Hood (Moab, UT) and his fiancé, Dana Gredysa.  Daughter Andrea Hood Davis (Tulsa, OK) and her husband, Rob.  Granddaughter Audrey Davis Wollmershauser (Alexandria, VA) and her husband, James.  Great-grandkids Grayson, Hannah, Isaac and Jane.  Granddaughter Taylor Davis Moore (Tulsa) and her husband, Joe.  Grandson Bobby Davis (Tulsa) and his fiancé, Katie.  Great-grandson Parker Davis.

Suzanne and Andy have four kids, nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was loved by all three of her brothers’ children and was fondly called Aunt Sue.  Her nieces and nephews, great and even great-great nieces and nephews will miss her. 

There will be a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1^st at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, 1301 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74119. Service will be streamed live online at https://www.bostonavenue.org/life-events/