Suzanne M. Ireland

Suzanne M. Ireland, formerly Simerman, nee Blackburn, age 85, of Auburn, Indiana exhaled her last breath... peacefully at home surrounded by family and love... at 3:33 am Sunday, February 8, 2026. This is possible through the support of Hospice of Cincinnati, and we are eternally grateful.

Preceded in death by her husband Joe Ireland, son Kurt Simerman, daughter-in-law Jane, brothers Chuck, Jim & Jack Blackburn; Suzanne is survived by her children, Kelly (Diane Fisher) Simerman, Steve (Wayne Materanek) Simerman, Kathy (John) Green, Anne (Chris Hohem) Simerman.

After graduating from Concordia Lutheran high School,

Suzanne was a working woman with a ferocious typing speed and a special way with shorthand. She enjoyed working with Harvester, Beers, Dana, Lincoln and Parkview.

Also called Suzie or Sue... anyone who knew her, knows that Mema is her preferred name & role ~ including her grands Esther, Lauren, Heather (Wyatt), Tanner (Sierra), Nat (Arty), Jonathon & Joseph, cousins, niblings (nieces & nephews), good neighbors & family friends.

Mema visits meant motherly solace, a gentle landing place & a solid rock to hold onto. Driving lessons, jumping on the bed, giggle fits, acceptance.

Anyone who met Mema, loves her with their whole heart... because she loved with her whole heart. She's one of those rare birds who really tries to meet people where they are, and see them for who they are... not who people think they should be. One of her biggest disappointments the past few years was with Christian churches/ministers/preachers who aren't leading with humanity or Christ-like behavior. Her faith in Jesus remained clear and strong.

Born during World War II, she was issued War Rations on May 4, 1942 and her Certificate of Registrar shows that the 1-year-old blonde hair, blue-eyed girl was 31 inches tall and weighed 25 pounds. Her high school yearbooks read like you'd suspect... Suzie, "a sweet chick who giggles at almost everything" and "a real cute girl with a sweet personality" and some fun surprises too. While long-time friends Mary Ann Kelley & Joan Clark share memories of her musical talent & decades of laughs, everyone who spent any time with Suzanne knows her warm, whimsical delight.

Her willingness to stretch & grow, even when it was challenging & she wasn't sure she wanted to.... or knew she didn't. Yet, she faced her fears and got up to her armpits, or caves as she'd taken to calling them, in the Gulf of Mexico just weeks before she died. Twice. And loved it. Found calm in the sand, joy in the people & rapture in the sunsets. Reminded her body & mind that she'd been to the beach before.

And had other adventures, some with Joe, her beloved. She'd fall asleep on the back of his motorcycle she felt so safe there. They travelled by plane too ... until their flight got landed due to the world trade center bombing and they made their way home by car... never to fly again, these lovers of flight.

She'll be remembered most for her magical peanut butter cookies, riding the lawnmower, playing piano, chasing the moon, watching sunsets, fishing trips, playing at the lake with family, enjoying doughnuts... her giant heart, snappy humor, magnetic personality.

Suzanne Ireland: Lover of kids, birds & butterflies, the beach & dogs... especially Molly & Pepper.

The family would like to thank all their good friends & neighbors who provided sweetness & support during this journey. We would also like to thank the Loveland emergency response team & staff at Bethesda North Hospital who took care of Mema after her final fall.

Celebrations of life forthcoming in Loveland & Ft. Wayne.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the following:

Ignite Peace

https://ignitepeace.org/

Cincinnati Animal CARE

https://cincinnatianimalcare.org/

Hospice of Cincinnati

https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/