Suzanne Jean Oliver

Suzanne Jean Albright Oliver

Denver, CO

Died April 15, 2024 in AdventHealth Littleton Hospital, Littleton, CO, of complications from a kidney stone. Born to James David Albright and Gertrude Whipp Albright on August 18, 1943, Suzanne was the third of four children. Suzanne graduated from Cliffside Park High School, Cliffside Park, NJ, in 1961; she received a $1,600 scholarship to attend Jersey City College, Jersey City, NJ, graduating with a BS, Education, in 1965. One week later, she married the love of her life, Howard Edson Oliver, on June 14, 1965. Two years later, they gave birth to their first child, and within 3 months, in August, 1967, moved to Denver CO so Howard could attend Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary (now, Denver Seminary).

            Suzanne was employed by the Denver Public School system while Howard focused on the MDiv coursework, teaching Kindergarten for 2 years until shortly after giving birth to their second child, when she decided to make her own children’s development her fulltime work; Suzanne returned to public school education in 1980 until retiring in 2007, the majority of which teaching Early Childhood Education at Park Hill Elementary, Denver, CO. Suzanne received certifications and training in Spanish, Computer Technology, American Sign Language, and Level IV certification in Early Childhood Education.

            Shortly after celebrating their 13^th wedding anniversary, on June 29, 1978, Howard was in a tragic work-related accident, in and out of the hospital for eight months until succumbing to complications of severe burns on March 18, 1979. Suzanne was left to raise their four children, then 11, 9, 4, and 3 years old, on her own. Suzanne devoted her life to raising her children in faith and hospitality to any who needed succor.

            Music was Suzanne’s passion and language. She sang in the choirs of every institution of which she was a member. She incorporated music in her classrooms, filled her home with music, and instilled the love of it in her children. Suzanne and Howard regularly sang together at church, a practice which began when first dating, and Suzanne continued to sing, often as an act of faith. Indeed, the Sunday a week prior to her death, was spent in her room with her daughter and family receiving communion, praying blessing over one another, and singing songs of praise and hope.

            Suzanne is survived by her four children, Nicole Oliver Snyder (Howie) of Lakewood, CO, Gregg (Kristi), of Highlands Ranch, CO, David (Andrea) of Chicago, IL, and Todd (Rachel) of Castle Rock, CO, twenty grandchildren, one great-grandchild and two on the way; her brother, Jim Albright (JoAnn) of New Hope, PA, and sister-in-law, Louise Oliver Birkelbach (Clement) of Whiting, NJ.

Suzanne died peacefully with her four children and much of their families gathered around her hospital bed as they prayed, sang songs, and recalled memories of their life together.

Suzanne was interred alongside Howard at the Evergreen Memorial Park, Evergreen, CO.

A memorial service will be held on May 2, 2024 at 1PM at River Church, Lakewood, CO, officiated by her daughter, Rev Dr Nicole Oliver Snyder; the livestream and recording of the service can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/RiverChurchMovement/live