Suzanna Marie Hanley (68) of Hillsboro, MO

Suzanna Marie Hanley, age 68, of Hillsboro, Missouri; a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She did so with her loving husband of fifty years by her side.

Funeral services celebrating Suzanna’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Open Door Baptist Church, 205 South New York Street, Toledo, Illinois, 62468, with Brother Leon Hanley officiating. Visitation will be held 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will be at the Jewett Cemetery, Jewett, Illinois. In loving memory of Suzanna, memorials may be made to the Open Door Baptist Church in Toledo Illinois and mailed to Meyer Funeral Home - Bishop Chapel, 115 East Lincoln Drive, Greenup, Illinois 62428. Arrangements are in the care of Meyer Funeral Home-Bishop Chapel in Greenup, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Suzanne or Suzy as she was affectionately called by her friends and family, was born June 10, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Charles and Nancy (Batey) Dixon. Suzy was the 3rd of nine children and the first girl. She spent her childhood in Cahokia, Illinois; where she worked both in and out of the house. Being the oldest daughter, Suzy was relied upon to care for her younger siblings who she adored. Suzy had great memories of their packed house and she especially cherished the times they loaded up the family car to visit extended family in the St. Louis area.

In 1970, at the age of 17, her family moved to Toledo, Illinois. It was there, as a senior at Cumberland High School she met the love of her life, Riley “Dean” Hanley. The two were married on June 11, 1971, in Toledo, the day after her 18th birthday.

In the beginning the young couple had little other than their love for each other. Suzy worked at RR Donnelley’s in Mattoon, Illinois while Dean attended college. Once he was done, it would be her turn to both work and further her education. During this period, their faith and love for each other was tested beyond measure by the loss of three newborn infants. Somehow, they persevered, and eventually they welcomed both a daughter and son into the world.

While raising two young children and working, Suzy received her bachelor’s in nursing from Wright State University and became a registered nurse. A sister and a niece have since followed in her footsteps. Nursing, and the care of others, would go on to be her life’s work. She was very close to her nursing family and worked for Kindred Hospital (St. Louis) for the last 29 years. There are countless patients and coworkers who have been touched by her love and compassion.

Suzy was an incredibly hard worker, a friend, sister, mother (and second mother) to many. She had a natural ability to express empathy and a genuine concern for others. She would often send personal cards and notes to loved ones. Without hesitation she opened her heart, home, and purse to many in their time of need. Suzy’s greatest joy came from her husband, children, and grandchildren. She would brag a little (or a lot depending on the time she had) on Dean, her daughter Amanda Hammett of Dittmer, Missouri; son Josh (Molly) Hanley of Mexico, Missouri; and grandkids Catherine, Connor, Riley, and Lauren.

In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Suzy is survived by her brothers; Daniel (Barbara) Fee of Fresno, California; Michael Dixon of Dittmer, Missouri; David Dixon of Moore, Oklahoma; Tommy Dixon of Norman, Oklahoma; and John (Kristy) Dixon of Del City, Oklahoma; along with sisters; Patricia (Glen) Coles of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Sandy (Randy) Simeroth of Purcell, Oklahoma; Nancy (Damon) Burnett of Edmond, Oklahoma and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Suzy was preceded in death by her mother Nancy, father Charles and her 3 infant children, Melissa, John, and Laura Hanley.