The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Suanna was a beautiful sunrise to every morning. We treasured how she embraced life and always had a beautiful sparkle of love and caring in her eyes. She was defined by her love of music and travel, and the adoration she poured upon her children and grandchildren. She had an iron core that was coated with cotton candy. Everyone experienced her unique love and unparalleled mothering instinct. Having her in our lives enriched us and made us better people. She never shied away from giving herself, her time or her love. Suanna was a mother, a supporter and a nurturer to everyone she touched.
Suanna was born in Miami, Arizona in 1943 and was the first child of Danko and Maxine Gurovich. She was the big sister to Patricia and Danilo. Suanna was always fondly called “Suzi-Q” by her dad, who was so very proud of her. Suanna was a Miami girl through and through; she excelled in her studies and graduated with honors from high school. Her musical passions included playing piano and violin. She always attended reunions, where she reminisced with her schoolmates. Suanna was always friends forever. Suanna went on to the University of Arizona and studied abroad in Florence, Italy. She immersed herself in arts and languages. While there she realized her tremendous talent for mastering languages (she spoke more than four) and love of travel. While at the U of A she met and married Mike Kooken, and they made their home in California, where she finished her Bachelor’s Degree at California State Long Beach. Her mastery of languages enabled her to communicate to many individuals whom she helped throughout their lives.
Suanna raised three children, Danielle, Michael and Marianne. They were always her priority and in her heart and thoughts from their first breath. Nobody took to business like Suanna. In 1976 with three children under the age of 5, she began her forty-year career in real estate and earned her broker’s license. She was a quick success and a top-producing professional in Diamond Bar, California and Houston, Texas. She was one of the most successful agents in San Francisco, California. She was an active board member for the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee and the President of the Women’s Council of Realtors. Her eye for real estate gave a start to her own “This Old House” business in San Francisco as she renovated properties. She bought and sold many homes and buildings, and left her mark on the city she loved. Upon her retirement in 2016, she moved to the Sacramento area so she could be close to her children. Nobody loved to travel like Suanna. She visited many countries, but Montenegro held a special place in her heart. When she couldn’t find someone to go with her, she would just go solo and had a fearlessness few could imagine. On occasion she would return with a Montenegrin family member who was searching for a better life; she supported and sponsored their journey. She cared for her cousin, Gloria Henslee, as she struggled with severe mental illness for 25 years until she passed this last year. Her door was always open and accepting as she cared for the elderly and anyone in need.
She joined many churches throughout her life. As a child she was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and later joined the Serbian Orthodox Church in San Francisco, where she loved singing in the choir. She loved the music and the message. She said it “filled her soul and she felt close to God.” When she moved to Sacramento she joined the Serbian Orthodox Church but it had no choir, so she joined the Greek Orthodox Church. She became an “honorary” Greek and learned the language, which led to developing new and lifelong friendships. She was active in many charities and church activities, including stuffing backpacks for kids and serving specialty foods at Greek Festivals.
Suanna is survived by her daughter Danielle Marquez and husband Bruce; her son Michael Kooken, wife Angela and grandson Trevor; her daughter Marianne, husband Earl Crouchley and granddaughter Lilly; her sister Patricia Fair; her brother Danilo Gurovich and wife Lori; five nieces and nephews, five grandnieces and an extended family of many wonderful people whom she loved around the world. Suanna loved everyone with all her heart. The number of friends and family who loved over her 79 years cannot be counted. Her warmth, love and compassion will be greatly missed.
Bulman Miles Funeral Services in Globe, Arizona faithfully assisted the family.
