Susan Jean (VanBeneden) Biggs

Susan Jean VanBeneden Biggs, 71, passed away suddenly Monday, November 12, 2018. Susan was born January 28, 1947 in Cleveland to the late Walter and Marjorie (Story) VanBeneden. She is survived by her former husband John Biggs, children Stacey (Logan) Eisenhart and Jennifer (Matthew) Shanholtzer, and grandchildren Madeline and Jonah. Susan was a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, and attended Colby College in Maine where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History.  She continued her love of the arts throughout her life as an avid painter, pianist, photographer, and potter.  She could most recently be found enjoying time with her friends and pottery-making at the Chagrin Valley Art Center. Susan loved books, music, and loved sharing reading as a bookmobile manager and circulation manager at local libraries. Perhaps her biggest accomplishment was the love and care with which she raised her children Jennifer and Stacey.  Never missing a moment to cheer her daughters on, she was often seen in the stands at band shows, track meets, swim meets, gymnastics, and leading Girl Scouts (including camping, reluctantly).  She was ecstatic to be blessed with her two beautiful grandchildren, Madeline and Jonah, from which she derived an immense joy.  Her kind spirit and love of the arts have been forever imparted on them.   A private memorial service will take place at the  Aurora Cemetery on December 1st.  Friends and family are invited to attend an open house at the Hawthorne Clubhouse, 685 Walnut Ridge Trl. Aurora, OH 44202, on December 1st between the hours of 12 noon and 3 pm. Susan enjoyed being politically active and was a strong supporter of women’s rights, therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Emily’s List at https://www.emilyslist.org.

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