Susan Eleanor Egizii-Gower

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund or St. Martin's Rector's Discretional Fund. EGIZII-GOWER, Susan Eleanor Marie, R.N. M.S.N. (nee: Egizii), crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be with our Lord Jesus on Tuesday, April 19, 2005. She was born in Springfield Illinois to her late loving father Anthony Albert Egizii and her surviving mother Eleanor. Susan graduated from Sacred Heart Academy of Springfield, attended Loretto Heights College in Colorado, graduated Bradley University in Peoria, IL, obtained her degree from DeKalb Community College in Georgia and lastly graduated the Medical College of the University of Georgia at Augusta. After school, Susan worked at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta before teaching nursing at the University of Missouri at Columbia. All of this prepared her for sixteen rewarding years with the Schering-Plough Corporation of Kenilworth, New Jersey. Susan sold many products, but when she retired, she was specializing in the treatment of hepatitis C. Her drive to always do things right and her respect for everyone made her a top performer at Schering and a much admired friend to patients, physicians and her peers. From high school to Columbia, Susan was actively engaged in dance, singing and theatre. Along with the performing arts, she was a member of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, American Liver Foundation, Assistance League of St. Louis, Tibetan Terrier Club of America, St. Martins Episcopal Church Choir, 1897 Associates of Bradley University and the St. Louis Area Bradley Alumni Chapter. In 2001, Susan was awarded Bradley’s highest alumni award for outstanding service to the university; the Lydia Moss Bradley Award. When not beautifying her home or many gardens, Susan was most excited to be at an art show and not just annual events in St. Louis, but affairs from Michigan, to the northeast, France, Italy and Ireland. She vividly colored every project she touched and made it her own work of art. Susan’s greatest accomplishment was her survival of ovarian cancer for over four years. Her heartfelt gratitude goes out to all who cared for her through this journey, especially Dr. Randall Gibb, BJC Hospital, MoBap Hospital, SSM Hospice, Nurses for You, the women of Walgreen’s, Schering-Plough, United Rentals Aerials, the talented Gordon Brokaw and all of her loving helpers and wonderful friends, especially Kathleen. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Gower and their two Tibetan Terriers: Kharma and Tashi; two nieces Lisa Vannerson of Kansas City and Lori Cadden of New York City, a sister Mary Lynn Egizii and brother Jim, both of Springfield, IL. A Memorial service is planned 10:00 AM Friday, May 6th, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 15764 Clayton Road, Ellisville, MO,(P)636-227-1484, with a Celebration of Life luncheon to follow.