Late last night, in a hospice in North Carolina, our friend Gloria Suess went home to be with the Lord. Our friendship with Gloria began in 1990 when Kelli and I first traveled (separately) to study in Israel. Our relationship with her developed a few years later when we returned as a married couple to do graduate study in Jerusalem. Her application for citizenship in Israel was denied, so in more recent years, we would enjoy visits with Gloria when she traveled from the States to stay with various friends throughout the Holy Land. She enjoyed being with our children, and they with her. She would bring fun little presents, or when she was absent for a while, she would send them in the mail. Gloria loved to draw and share her beautiful artwork with us and others.
Gloria was strongly committed to the Lord and to his people. In correspondence she would describe her ministry at her local messianic congregation and the various Jewish observances they were celebrating. Gloria may not have been able to prove that she had Jewish blood, but everyone who knew her could attest to her Jewish heart. She identified with God’s people and longed for them to know their Messiah.
Gloria was also a remarkable photographer, with a primary interest in the flora of Israel. In earlier years, I remember enjoying slideshows that Gloria prepared for friends. More recently, I worked with Gloria to scan her slides so that she could share the digital images with her family and friends. We had intended to publish a more extensive collection in the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands and though she won’t be able to enjoy it, I still plan to bring that to completion.
Ainsworthia, Upper Jordan Valley
This summer our family vacation brought us to Chicago, and in God’s providence, we were able to spend some time with Gloria a few days before she moved out to be near family in North Carolina. We did not know then that this would be our last time with her before glory. Since then we corresponded and talked by phone several times. Gloria knew that she was dying, and she was excited with the thought of seeing her Savior. In life and in death she was a beautiful testimony to Jesus the Messiah. We celebrate her life and thank the Lord for the friendship he gave us. She will be greatly missed here.
July 2010