The-Leader_2008-05-08

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FREEPORT MEMORIAL UBRARY
Merridt Ro8d & Ooeafl Avemis
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FreeportBaldwinLeader.com
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73rd Year, No. 19 Freeport, N.Y. 11520
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wm probably ever know. Eve^^h! • ^ ^,„tinues.to wheel chair because of her heau ^^^ g^^.
^>- to other^-^::;>rp°S X eUle. She is a StTmUy-orphan just her own. . .
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Mother of tfie Vzar
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Sincerely, MaryCrispyn (daughter #6)
by Laura Schofer
Seven children in nine years and none of them are twins! Janene Suchan of Freeport is The Leader's 2008 Mother of the Year, a wonder woman, who has done it all.
In addition to raising her two sons and five daughters, as well as one of her 13 grandchildren, Mrs. Suchan has been an active volunteer in the commu­nity for more than 40 years and is also the manager of the South Nassau Communities Hospital's Thrift Shop on Merrick Road.
"My Mom is the most selfless person I know and will probably ever know," wrote daughter Mary Crispyn. "Even now con­fined to a wheelchair because of her health, she continues to give to others."
Mrs. Suchan spoke to The Leader from the Meadowbrook Care Center, where she is receiving rehabilitation for her arms and legs. "I need to strengthen them and make them strong but I will be. fine," she said in a cheery voice. "I've been so blessed in my life.. God has been good to me."
MOTHER OF THE YEAR JANENE SUCHAN, with her seven children in -this 1973 photo, was nominated by her daughter IVIary Crispyn.
Janene Suchan is married to Donald Suchan for 46 years. Janene's seven children - William,. Joan, Janene, Susan, Bob, Mary and Donna - were all raised in Freeport in a house on the water on Nassau Street. "Those were busy years. I was always active with my children. I was the community Girl Scout leader for the cookie drive for nine years and PTA President of Council as well as of Giblyn School and the junior high school," Mrs. Suchan explained. "I did a lot of blood drives and we were involved with the Baldwin Bombers. My girls were cheerleaders."
Daughter Mary told The Leader "when we were kids, my mother didn't drive and we would get a cab to go to the Freeport Mall and head to Barish's. Sometiines we'd go to Woolworth's and all seven of us would sit at the counter. We thought it was such a big deal, so much fun."
In 1975 Janene Suchan was the first runner up for "Mrs. Freeport," a contest sponsored by Woolworth's.
Mrs. Suchan said she loves her big family. Six of her seven children-still live in Freeport. "I have 13 grandchildren, 11
of them live nearby. Two of my grand­children are Irish and two are Italian. My oldest grandchild is 25 and they go all the way down to nine," she said.
"I made a novena to St. Jude to help me become pregnant," explained Mrs. Suchan, "and he heard my prayer. He kept bringing them and finally I said, 'enough.' When I get to Heaven, he's [St. Jude] the first one I'm looking for," she laughed. "You have to keep your sense of humor and love, lots of love, no matter what."
Love makes the world go round for someone such as Janene Suchaii, who manages the thrift shop on Merrick Road. She's been there for the last 28 years and "she still goes down there in her wheelchair," said daughter Mary.
"It's the people. I love the people," said Janene. "I love to help them, to give theni what they need. It's my pas­sion. In the winter we give people boots or a coat and we keep everything reasonably priced. I know my cus­tomers and the donors. If someone can't afford what they need, then we'll still help out. We make it work. If peo­ple need something how can you refuse?"
• "My mother will take three of us to B.J.'s and tell us to buy whatever we need,'' explained Mary. "I feel badly about it but I know this is what she loves to do, help her family, help others."
How does Mrs. Suchan feel about the honor of being Mother of the Year?
"My heart is up in the air. It's such a beautiful thing for a child to do," Mrs. Suchan's voice quivered. "Every year I read The Leader and think, oh, that's nice, and now I'm so happy. I'm crying tears of joy."
As Mother of the Year, Mrs. Suchan will receive the following prizes. They include two dozen doughnuts from Dunkin' Donuts, a floral arrangement from Terranpva Florist, a gift certificate for a bottle of cham­pagne from Atlantic Bayview Wines and Liquor, a gift certificate from June Peters, a $50 gift certificate from Vincente Jewelers, a $25 gift certifi­cate from The Schooner, a $25 gift certificate from Piccolo Pizza and a, year's subscription from the Freeport Baldwin Leader.
Congratulations to Mrs. Suchan and a very happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in Baldwin and Freeport!
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