Laurentina (Tina) Suarez, 62, of Sandoval passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Helia Healthcare in Salem. She was born January 28, 1958. Tina was a genuine lady that had an abundance of love for her family, her friends, and her community. She was an active member of both Mount Vernon BWC and Centralia BPW. Tina served as the past President of IFBWC where she mentored women on achieving their goals, creating lasting friendships, and remembering to give back to other working women. She valued education and retired from Kaskaskia College where she worked as a loyal professor. Tina’s retirement only opened new avenues for her to explore as she continued to be a force to be reckoned with working many more jobs, including using her talents at the Shoppers Weekly. She was a faithful member of both St. Mary’s Church in Centralia and St. Lawrence Church in Sandoval. She compassionately served on numerous boards in the area including, Friends of the Library, Rotary, SINA, and was Director of the Amy Center. With each grateful board Tina was a part of, she brought her wisdom and can-do spirit to every role. Tina was always out volunteering and could be found doing so every chance she got. The benefits of her good deeds will carry on for generations to come and will give others in the community a goal to strive for. Tina was a cancer warrior and was proud to volunteer her time and walk with her fellow survivors during Relay for Life. She loved spending time with her many friends, sharing her contagious smile and her trademark, “Hello darlin’” greeting. Tina enjoyed traveling to beautiful destinations and bringing a piece of her journey back with stories of her adventures. She loved to talk and could paint a vivid picture to make the listener feel like they were there. Tina had an amazing, positive attitude that came out in her close relationships, and with those she had only just met, as she was a true friend to all. Tina’s limitless energy, outgoing and friendly demeanor, great sense of humor, dedication to the causes she believed in, compassionate gift of her time and resources, and love for all will never be forgotten. Tina embraced life and lived each day with purpose and passion and her extraordinary spirit will continue on with everyone blessed to have known her.
Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Tina Suarez with arrangements. A celebration of life service will be held for friends and family to share great memories of Tina at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2021 with a visitation from 9:00 a.m. till the time of the services at Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia, where those in attendance will be asked to wear a mask and the number of people in the funeral home at one time will be limited. A Rite of Christian Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in Sandoval with Monsignor David Darin and Rev. Fr. Stephen Pautler officiating. Memorials may be made in Tina’s honor to the BPW Scholarships, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, The Amy Center, and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories of Tina may be shared with the family at www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
Survivors that will remember the way Tina could light up a room include her long-time friend of over 20 years, that was the sister she never had, Karen; friend that was like a brother, Ed Parker; close friend, great technology guru and travel companion, Ryan; and her brother Dennis Suarez, wife Debra of Salem.
She was adopted at the age of 6 months to the parents of Joe and Marie Suarez and was blessed to call Sandoval, IL her home. Tina was preceded in death by both of her parents Joe and Marie Suarez.
